Türkiye Promotes Tourism in TRNC with ‘Island Cyprus’ Campaign

Turkey

Türkiye has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting tourism in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) through the newly launched "Island Cyprus" campaign.

Speaking at the campaign’s launch event in Istanbul, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz emphasized the importance of the TRNC Tourism Master Plan as a strategic step to enhance the country's tourism profile.

Strengthening TRNC’s Tourism Identity

Vice President Yilmaz underscored that the master plan and the "Island Cyprus" initiative are vital components of Türkiye’s vision to strengthen TRNC’s tourism sector. "Türkiye aims to position TRNC as a unique island destination, leveraging its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and culinary diversity," Yilmaz said.

He highlighted that Türkiye’s own tourism achievements – over $61 billion in revenue and 62 million visitors last year – reflect the potential TRNC can tap into with coordinated efforts. The campaign aims to draw more Turkish citizens to the island, many of whom have yet to visit.

Strategic Support and Cooperation

Türkiye's support for the TRNC extends beyond tourism, encompassing transportation, health, education, and infrastructure projects. Vice President Yilmaz reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to peace and prosperity through practical collaborations, referencing the 2025 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement as a cornerstone for ongoing development.

The Century of Türkiye and TRNC

Yilmaz stated that Türkiye envisions the "Century of Türkiye" as also being the "Century of the TRNC", with the new campaign serving as a pivotal element in achieving this vision. He also reiterated Türkiye’s stance on a two-state solution, noting that past efforts at unification had proven unsuccessful.

With the "Island Cyprus" campaign, Türkiye aims to enhance TRNC's appeal as a unique island destination while fostering greater economic and cultural integration between the two nations.