Shop owners in the Arasta region are deeply concerned about recent efforts to block foreigners visiting South Cyprus from making day trips to the north.
This move has particularly alarmed local traders, who rely on the business brought in by these tourists.
In an interview with a Dialogue reporter, shopkeepers argued that the decision contradicts EU regulations and could harm relations between the two communities.
One shopkeeper remarked, “If the tourists stop coming, we’ll have no choice but to close our shops and go home.”
The Arasta merchants are urging authorities in North Cyprus to take immediate action with the EU and the UN to address the situation. They noted that foreign tourists from the south provide a vital boost to the local economy, helping them cover shop rent and other expenses. The shop owners are calling on everyone to work together to maintain the flow of tourists.
