Pointing out that the TRNC's current account deficit can be closed with health tourism, Dr. Ahmet Savaşan emphasized that they aim to double health tourism revenues in 2022 with the new agreements made.
According to the statement made by the Cyprus Health Tourism Council; Council President Dr. Ahmet Savaşan participated in ITB Berlin, the world's largest tourism fair, and signed new agreements.
ITB is a great opportunity to promote Northern Cyprus...
Stating that ITB Berlin, which was visited by 10 thousand participants from more than 180 countries from five continents, 110 thousand of whom were professionals and 160 thousand people in total, offered great opportunities in terms of promoting Northern Cyprus’ tourism in general and health and alternative tourism opportunities in particular, Ahmet Savaşan said that they signed new agreements in the field of health tourism with European and Middle Eastern countries, 12 of which are from Africa.
The Council will use virtual reality applications.
Pointing out that health tourism and business travel, which stand out among the rising trends, were given a wide coverage at ITB, Savaşan also underlined that products that bring together travel and technological innovations were also highlighted. “Now, countries offer tourists the opportunity to take a look at the cities, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, hospitals, SPA centers before the trip by using virtual reality and augmented reality applications in their promotions. Our Council will offer these opportunities to tourists who want to receive health services for the purpose of health promotion, health protection or recovery, as well as to use holiday elements in the process of receiving health services in fairs starting from next year.”.
Incentives and supervision are essential in health tourism...
Ahmet Savaşan pointed out that in order to develop the field of health tourism, which has a great power to close the current account deficit, it is essential to support, encourage and supervise this field, as in Turkey, and said, “We are aware that the TRNC can stand on its own feet by developing the tourism field, including education and health, and increasing revenues. In this context, we are working to bring qualified health tourists from more countries to Northern Cyprus by acting together with all member organizations of our council.”.
High-income African families will be brought in.
Stating that they signed a new agreement with 12 African countries in ITB Berlin, where child mortality rates are very high, Ahmet Savaşan said that with the agreement made, African families with high income levels will be brought to Northern Cyprus and will be accommodated in hotels for 3-4 months and will be returned to their countries after giving birth in a private hospital of their choice. Stating that the agreements they have signed with both African and Middle Eastern and European countries in areas such as childbirth, cancer, heart, orthopedics are aimed at increasing the domestic value added, Savaşan said, ’Our goal is to double health tourism revenues in 2022.
