Faith tourism should be further expanded

Hundreds of Greekr Cypriots who performed rituals at the Nesturi Church in Famagusta Suriçi contributed to the economy by spending time and shopping in Famagusta and the Iskele Region after their rites.

Ahmet ILKTAÇ

Greek Cypriots celebrated Saint George's Day in Famagusta. Hundreds of Greek Cypriots who attended the ritual had a good time by visiting the Famagusta and Iskele regions. Greeks, meeting with their old friends, eating and shopping, made a smile on the faces of the shop owners. Regional tradesmen and non-governmental organisation executives, wished this faith tourism event to spread throughout the country.

Atai: Rituals are reflected in the tradesmen positively.

Speaking to our newspaper NORTH CYPRUS UK, Vice President of the Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER) Serdar Atai said that he is very pleased for he Greek Cypriots friends that have performed a ritual in Famagusta Walled City after 6 months.

Serdar Atai said, since December 2013, although the ceremony was held at certain intervals at St. Yorgos Kserinos Church, for the first time St. George’s Day was celebrated at the St. George Church.

Atai explained that each ritual is an opportunity for Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to come together and share their old memories and hopes of the future. He said that they had a nice time meeting with Turkish Cypriot friends and most of them shopping, eating, drinking and spending the day in the Famagusta and Iskele region.

Serdar Atai, Famagusta Suriçi artisans are very pleased with these visits and rituals, he added. Atai said that many artisans ask him whether there would be a ritual due to the fact that the rituals were intervened for 6 months. He also added that this is an indication of the positive reflections of the rituals on Famagusta.

Serdar Atai ended his speech as follows:

“I hope the rituals will continue without too much interruption. This event, which we consider within the scope of faith tourism, continues to spread throughout the island, bringing communities together and providing sales to the tradesmen.”