The Ottoman Empire, which often prided itself on its efforts to Westernize and adopt Western lifestyles, has historically strived to align itself with the West an ambition that can be traced back to the era of Sultan Mahmud II and the legacy of the Tanzimat and the Imperial Edict of Gülhane. However, the implementation of such Westernization policies across an empire that, since Yavuz Sultan Selim’s 1517 Egypt campaign, also bore the weight of the Islamic Caliphate, was by no means a straightforward endeavor especially from the 1840s onwards. Sultan Abdulhamid II similarly sought to synthesize Westernization with the Ottoman way of life, an effort that marked a significant ideological milestone of the period.
Nevertheless, the imperialist ambitions to divide the Ottoman Empire, coupled with its consistent military losses and diminishing territorial control particularly after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 (known as the 93 War) signaled the inevitability of decline, epitomized by the Treaty of San Stefano (Ayastefanos). Notably, it was during this time that Cyprus was leased to the British Empire. When the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of Germany, Britain responded by unilaterally annexing Cyprus as a colonial territory.
The Importance of the Turkish Cypriot Identity
It is often said that the Turkish people, particularly the Turkish Cypriots, have remained the most loyal to the Ottoman legacy in terms of their religious and linguistic identity. It is for this reason that Cyprus never became another Rhodes or Crete. The Turkish Cypriots are, in a very real sense, the “offspring” of the Ottoman Empire, and by extension, of the Turkish mainland the motherland.”
The failure to fulfill the promises made to the Turkish Cypriots after the Annan Plan referendum of 2004, and the ensuing punishment of both the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot peoples, should have served as a catalyst for significant economic and political reforms in collaboration with the Republic of Turkey. While such reforms were intended, they were never fully realized largely due to the inability or unwillingness to make radical decisions. Today’s economic and geopolitical conditions demand that Turkish Cypriots redefine their future in close alignment with Turkey.
For those of us who once envisioned a European future post-Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriot community’s rejection of the plan, supported covertly by international actors, created both ideological and political disillusionment. Despite international law and diplomacy, the Greek Cypriot side continues to violate the rights of the Turkish Cypriots with little regard for global opinion.
The time has come to adopt a self-reliant national consciousness. It must be recognized that the European Union, without a political resolution, unilaterally admitted the entirety of Cyprus as EU territory. Thus, the strategic importance of Northern Cyprus especially considering its natural gas reserves and geopolitical location must be fully understood and acted upon. While foreign powers encircle our island under the guise of regional conflicts, we must forge a clear roadmap in partnership with Turkey. Short-term policies are no longer sufficient; sustainable economic reforms must be prioritized. Economic power generates commercial influence, which in turn facilitates political progress and international recognition.
North Cyprus Tourism Sector
Tourism represents one of the most vital pathways toward achieving this economic power. As an industry, tourism brings people together, encouraging social and cultural integration. With regard to increasing our global visibility and attracting tourists particularly from key European markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries it is imperative that our state continues to support the private sector with bold incentives.
While these incentives have yielded tangible benefits, the broader goal of entering new markets requires a more aggressive and strategic marketing approach. I strongly believe that establishing diplomatic and commercial ties with the Near East, Middle East, and North Africa would enable us to expand our tourism portfolio substantially.
In particular, there is an urgent need to revive the British market to its former prominence, increase our presence in Central Europe, and diversify the Turkish market by focusing on culture, gastronomy, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. From these markets, we consistently encounter socially integrated, culturally curious, and economically impactful tourists who seek out heritage and leisure in equal measure. Yet, the persistent challenge of limited and expensive transportation must be overcome.
Without neglecting European destinations, we must also intensify our efforts to penetrate the Arab tourism market. Every tourist who leaves behind even a single unit of currency in our country is a valuable asset. Imagine streets filled with diverse tourists some in shorts, others in traditional attire, of every shade and background drawn to the cultural richness and hospitality our island offers.
It is crucial that we engage with the Arab world, whose historical and cultural ties to us are undeniable. Tourists who travel to Istanbul and Antalya now one of Europe’s top three tourist destinations could be encouraged to extend their visits to Northern Cyprus. The transportation networks and logistical infrastructure to support this expansion are already within reach.
We often claim that Russian tourists are hard to attract politically and religiously but if they come to Turkey, they can come to us. Similarly, we should consider how to benefit from the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Tourists from the Middle East and North Africa are likely to find cultural familiarity and a sense of belonging here.
Final Thoughts
There is no obstacle that the Turkish Cypriot people cannot overcome so long as we do not impose mental embargoes on our own ambitions and dreams. We must bring together tourism academics, hotel managers, travel agents, tour operators, and culinary experts to formulate a comprehensive tourism strategy and begin implementing it without delay.
