Is treatment of tourists really so bad?

Sir,

We read so many dismaying letters and hear so much adverse comment about poor hospitality extended to tourists and visitors. Greek Cypriots and expatriates alike are concerned about the apparently changing reputation of this island – but is it so bad?

We have just had some relatives here who travelled over 21,000 miles, and over four years, had sailed up from New Zealand to see Cyprus and other destinations in the Mediterranean.

They found nothing but a warm welcome in Limassol and again in Paphos, with our local harbourmaster making an exception for them so that their 15m yacht could be safely accommodated.

During a few days’ run-around this end of the island, these experienced travellers were captivated by the friendliness of customs officials, the marine police, and indeed the relaxed attitude of everyone they met whether in restaurants, shops or out of town. They have left with very positive impressions. Perhaps it is easy to think a little cynically when you live here, but Cyprus can still pull out the stops when it wants to – and when it does, it shows.

Clive Turner,
Paphos

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.