Maraş, the “ghost town” isolated from the world for 46 years, welcomes over 330 thousand tourists

Over 330 thousand tourists have visited the Maraş region in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) since this coastal region was partially reopened to the public in 2020.

Maraş practically became a “ghost town” after being isolated from the world for about 46 years, while a part of the region, respectively only 3.5 percent of the total area, reopened since October 2020.

According to official data, over 330 thousand domestic and foreign tourists visited the city since its reopening.

The municipal authorities of the city of Gazimağusa, which includes the coastal area of ​​Maraş, have made various arrangements for visitors, such as kiosks for refreshments and points for renting bicycles.

Sun chairs and umbrellas have also been set up along the two main beaches, while social events are regularly organized.

Tourist ıbrahim Yılmaz said the history of the Maraş region is one of his biggest attractions.

“This area can be restored and used for filming, especially for historical films,” he told the Anadolu Agency (AA).

Serkan Erol, another tourist, said he travels regularly to Turkish Cyprus, but stressed that in Maraş this is the first time.

“Being here gives you the feeling that you are back in time. I think it is extremely important for our young people to be aware of their history. Coming to Maraş can be really helpful in this regard. “I plan to bring my family and children here soon,” he said.

– The dispute of several decades

Cyprus has been embroiled in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite several diplomatic efforts by the United Nations (UN) to reach a comprehensive settlement.

Ethnic attacks that began in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw from the enclave for their own safety.

In 1974, a coup by the Greek Cypriots aimed at the annexation of Greece led to Turkish military intervention as a guarantor power to protect the Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, in 1938 the TRNC was established.

In recent years there has been a peace process with successive interruptions, including the failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of the guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom.

The Greek administration of Southern Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, the same year that Greek Cypriots thwarted former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan to end a long-running dispute. ./AA/