Why is Cyprus so expensive to visit?

Answer 1

As a relatively frequent visitor, 4 or 5 times a year, and a speaker of the language the answer is simple. 1- Poor Euro/Sterling exchange, 2 - Greed, 3 - The bizzare economic philosophy of less cutom forces prices up. (Working to attract more custom is not a primary consideration). 4 - Foreign visitors are seen as being wealthy, in fact cash cows and finaly 5 - The conversion rate used from Cyprus pounds to Euro's.

Flights to and from the Island have always been on the hefty side but from UK it is almost a five hour flight compared to the shorter distances and flying times to Spain, Gibralter, France, Italy etc. Taxi fares however often exceed the price of the flight and taxi meters are rarely used, often cited as being broken, which results in a fare 2 and 3 times what it should be.

Costs have risen disproportionally over the last 6 years or so and much much more over the last 15.

The often used excuse of "but we are an Island and need to import it" is an old chestnut and does not hold water. French, Italian, German and Chinese goods also have to be imported to Britain, also an Island. As cheap chinese goods are a staple of the Island the costs should at least be the same not double or more in some cases. A £120 juicer in John Lewis UK is €295 in Cyprus. Italian made and Italy is closer to Cyprus I wager.

Cyprus is perhaps living under an illusion and perhaps will follow the same fate as Greece economically as it is certainly mimicking everyting Greece did before the implosion. Steer well clear of Tourist areas and it is not so bad but how will a tourist know this.