Concerns are growing among tourists set to travel to Cyprus over the coming months, even though officials have deemed it safe. Cyprus, which is located south of Turkey and west of Syria, has long been a popular holiday destination for Brits. However, its proximity to the conflict in the Middle East has sparked worries amongst holiday-makers. Cyprus was dragged into the conflict whenthe RAF Akrotiri baseon the island washit with an Iranian drone.

Despite this, the Foreign Office does not currently have a travel ban on Cyprus, and the country is on its list of safe destinations. However, the FCDO haswarned of "heightened risk of regional tension", as well as a possible escalation that could result in travel disruptions and "other unanticipated impacts". Despite a few cancelled flights and the closure of some British schools in the European country, life is back to normal on the island.

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But businesses on the island have revealed tourists are still nervous, andsome holidays are being cancelled. Local business owner Vassilis Georgiou toldThe Guardianthat travellers are reconsidering their plans.

"It may be early days, but I’ve been here since 1992, and suddenly hoteliers are saying bookings are down," he said. "People are thinking twice."

Meanwhile, Nick Aristou, who owns three hotels in Cyprus, told the i Paper about cancellations. He revealed: "Most of the cancellations, I would say about 90 per cent, are all for March, about 10 per cent for April."

However, Agia Napa Municipal Secretary Mr Fotos Kikillos recently stated: "We’re hearing of cancellations, of a certain numbness at this week’s ITB.

"As you can see, life here is very safe. People are enjoying themselves. There’s no sense of fear. The last thing we want in Cyprus is to be dragged into this war."

Additionally, Cyprus's foreign minister, Constantinos Kombos, has reassured tourists. He told theBBC: "I don’t think that anyone should be in two minds, given the fact that the situation, as I have been describing right now as we speak, has been perfectly normal.

Source: Daily Express :: World Feed