Hasan Ali Bicak

Political scenarios: the future of the North Cyprus tourism industry

The North Cyprus tourism industry has been sensitive to the political instability on the island, which has arisen from the political problems between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Economic integration with Turkey and federation with the Greek Cypriots are considered to be two alternative political solutions. This paper evaluates the possible impacts of these two political scenarios on the tourism industry of North Cyprus by using semi‐structured interviews with experts and senior managers. Findings suggest that although economic integration has already been implemented to an extent, it has not contributed to the development of the tourism industry of North Cyprus as hoped. A federal solution to the Cyprus problem is expected to have a more favourable impact on the tourism industry of North Cyprus. Thus, long‐term benefits of the North Cyprus tourism industry lie with a federal solution to the Cyprus problem.

Competitive strategies for the tourism sector of a small island state: The case of North Cyprus

The purpose of this study is to investigate the competitiveness of the tourism sector of the Turkish Republic of Northem Cyprus (TRNC) against its main rival, the tourism sector of South Cyprus and develop strategies to upgradc competitiveness. Findings are based on the opinions of the experts and the top excutives. The survey which was carried out in three stages also identified the strengths and weaknesses of the TRNC tourism sector. The study is conduded with the strategies to be followed to keep up the strengths and cure the weaknesses of the tourism sector of the TRNC.

The Impact of (more) Enlargement on the European Employment Strategy

The European Union (EU) aspires to be the most competitive, full employment economy in the world and has set a number of ambitious targets to be met by 2010 in order that it can achieve this goal. At the same time, it is pursuing an enlargement policy that will witness the accession of an increasing number of less developed nations. This article explores some of the tensions that exist between these two goals as these are manifest in labour market indicators and finds the likelihood of meeting the deadline set for success remote.

Water flow risks and stakeholder impacts on the choice of a dam site

This study evaluates three alternative locations for building a fresh water dam in the Yesilirmak Valley of North Cyprus. Each of the three sites has different investment costs, water storage capabilities and socio-political repercussions. These kinds of trade-offs have in recent years characterised much of the worldwide debate surrounding the construction of electricity and irrigation dams. Another issue raised in this paper is the appropriate treatment of the risk and variability associated with the availability of water to fill the dam through time. This paper demonstrates how an integrated financial-economic-stakeholder analysis can provide the inputs needed by decision-makers in such situations to make rational political and economic choices.

Uncertainty and Tourism Development: The Case of North Cyprus

ABSTRACT Tourism development of North Cyprus is shadowed by the uncertainty of the political enviroment. This paper aims to evaluate the impacts of a political solution on the tourism development of North Cyprus. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted from North and South Cyprus. Findings suggest that a political solution to the Cyprus problem would have a favorable impact on the tourism industry of North Cyprus and this would provide new development opportunities in the areas of investment, infrastructure, accomodation, transportation and marketing. This paper concludes that political stability is essential for the development of tourism industries.

Economic Integration and the Tourism Industry of North Cyprus

As a result of non-recognition, economic embargoes and political isolation, hopes for a federal solution have diminished and the economic integration of North Cyprus with Turkey is now on the agenda. In the study discussed in this paper, academics and top managers in the private and public sectors were interviewed to ascertain their expectations concerning the possible impacts on the tourism industry of North Cyprus of such economic integration. The consensus was that economic integration would improve marketing and promotion, transportation, and investments in the tourism industry. However, the success of the industry depends heavily on increasing the competitiveness of the North Cyprus tourism product in terms of price, quality and marketing, and on the successful establishment of joint ventures with Turkish entrepreneurs.