The Board of British Cypriots has urged the UK government to review its travel advisory for Cyprus, warning that the current wording is already leading to flight and holiday cancellations. In a letter to UK Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty, the organisation argues that the advisory risks damaging the island’s tourism industry and its reputation as a safe destination.
Concerns over travel advisory wording
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its travel advice for Cyprus on 5 March, adding language stating that terrorist attacks “cannot be ruled out” and that such attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals”.
The advisory does not recommend against travel to Cyprus, keeping the island at the lowest warning level.
However, the guidance also referred to the confirmed drone impact at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March and warned that regional escalation “poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.
Impact on flights and tourism
The updated advisory notes that indirect travel disruption is increasing, with airlines cancelling or rerouting flights through Gulf hubs.
According to the guidance, more than 40 flights were cancelled within a 24-hour period.
In its letter, the Board of British Cypriots acknowledges the responsibility of the UK Foreign Office to ensure the safety of British citizens abroad but argues that the wording of the advisory does not reflect a balanced or proportionate assessment of the situation.
“Vigilance is necessary, but the risk of terrorist activity is a global phenomenon and is not limited exclusively to the region,” the letter states.
Concerns ahead of Easter tourism season
The organisation also highlights the approaching Easter period, noting that Cyprus was preparing to receive millions of visitors.
It warns that the advisory risks harming Cyprus’s image as a safe and attractive destination and could have significant economic consequences for the tourism sector.
Cyprus’s regional role
The letter further refers to Cyprus’s role in the region, noting that the island has provided humanitarian assistance and helped repatriate foreign nationals from crisis zones for more than two decades.
It also refers to Cyprus’s current EU Presidency as an indication of the country’s stability and international role.
Call for urgent review
The Board of British Cypriots calls on the UK government to examine the issue urgently and revise the advisory where appropriate.
The organisation promotes Cypriot interests in London and has previously corresponded with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The letter is signed by Doros Partasides, Marie Nicholsby, Antonis Savvides, Spyros Neofytou, Spyros Papacharalambous, Dr Elias Dinenis, Pantelis Dimosthenous and John Stergides.