Merit International Hotels & Resorts has garnered significant attention in Montenegro’s press. Journalists from Montenegro, who visited Cyprus from September 3–6, pointed out that the system provides substantial added value to hotel and casino operations in Northern Cyprus. It was emphasized that this could serve as a model for Montenegrin tourism.
A group of ten journalists and editors from Montenegro had the opportunity to share the tourism potential of Northern Cyprus with their readers after a four-day working visit. The focus was on Merit’s various investments in Northern Cyprus and the employment opportunities it has created.
Connecting Cyprus to the Adriatic
The Montenegrin press focused on how the tourism activity experienced in summer can be extended into other seasons. The DAN newspaper noted that one of the biggest challenges for Montenegrin tourism is maintaining hotel occupancy during off-peak periods. They reported that the Merit model in Northern Cyprus ensures that tourism activities continue throughout the year by integrating elements like accommodation, casino, gastronomy, wellness, and transportation.
The Investitor publication in Montenegro stated that success in tourism cannot be measured solely by the number of visitors. They evaluated Merit’s business model by considering when visitors arrive, how long they stay, and how much they spend.
Economic Contribution
During their visit, the Montenegrin journalists learned that Merit operates a total of eight hotels and six casinos in Northern Cyprus with a combined 1,387 rooms. The increase in the number of employees from 3,626 in 2018 to 6,589 now was reported as a significant achievement. The company is expected to exceed a turnover of 500 million dollars by 2025 in Northern Cyprus, with a total of 2.51 million visits across its eight facilities.
Furthermore, the reports highlighted that tourism goes beyond just accommodation, emphasizing its capacity to create employment, generate services, and ensure economic vitality.
The group of journalists also had the opportunity to visit historical sites such as the Bellapais Monastery, Kyrenia Castle, and the historic harbor while staying at Merit’s hotels. This trip helped promote the country’s historical and natural beauty to their readers.
Additionally, environmental practices such as the release of sea turtles back into nature on the beach captured the journalists’ attention.
New Goals and Investments
Burhan Genç, Regional Director of Merit International, shared that they are still searching for suitable locations for a large-scale resort investment on the Montenegrin coast, stressing the importance of site selection for the project.
The Montenegrin press brought Merit’s success story in Northern Cyprus to the forefront, combining it with projects along the Adriatic coast. This visit contributed to the international promotion of Merit while helping communicate our tourism potential to the public in Montenegro.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
