Controversial Casino to Open in Northern Cyprus

By all means Northern Cyprus should be attracting tourists in their droves, the beaches, the quiet coves, the wonderful food and welcoming local population, they go relatively unappreciated, living up to just a fraction of its potential.

Yet the tense political environment here has made it difficult for North Cyprus's tourism development, and the are has escaped the over run of visitors mostly because of military intervention in 1974, who stepped in, supposedly, to prevent the escalating animosity between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish military remains here 34 years on, no side showing any sign of relenting or compromising.

Rather quietly, until now, Northern Cyprus has been receiving much investment from countries, such as Turkey, with investors attracted by the lack of mega-Tourist developments. To mark the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion there has been announced the opening of £150 million Casino and Hotel, to be opened by President Ergolu.

The announced resort caused world wide controversy earlier this year in booking Jennifer Lopez to perform at its launch. The singer pulled out of the concert after protest from exiled Greek Cypriots, who were driven from their home. Lopez is set to be sued by the hotel.

The wave of investment in Northern Portugal has outraged Greek Cypriots who see the development as an attempt to strengthen Turkish hegemony over the enclave. An influx of businessmen here, simply serves to lessen the need for reunification and therefore plays in to Ergolu's desire for autonomy over the region.

While UN President Ban Ki Moon is encouraging talks between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, the prospect of stalemate seems as prevalent as it always has been, in fact less so under Ergolu. This has been a big disappointment to many families that have hoped to return their lost properties after the Turkish invasion.

"Hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots who have been expelled from their houses demand justice," says Peter Drousoittis, leader of the British Cypriots federation. "The European Court of Justice said quite clearly its still their land. If the island was united all sides would enjoy the economic benefit. As it is the island is a source of instability in the region."

Yet the 5,000 British property owners here welcome the stalemate as those with deeds dating back before 1974 face losing their properties.

Meanwhile Cyprus tourism is enjoying a good year, with steady increases in visitors after last years devastating 10.9% plummet. On the whole Cyprus has seen an increase of 3% from the British, 53.5% increase from Russia and 13.3% from Greece.

With this many with stakes in the Tourist industry have been able to breath some sigh of relief, as this year has seen an increase in bookings of villas in Cyprus, while the tourist facilities find themselves in a much safer position than they were in last year.

This growth is hoped to be sustained, and the new developments in Northern Cyprus serve to encourage future tourism, and attract new visitors Though in doing so strengthening a terse and controversial political regime in the north of Cyprus.







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