‘We visited Brit holiday favourite and found strip empty – but we’d return in an instant’ | Travel News | Travel

Two Brits, who recently visited a holiday destination facing a drop in tourism, have declared they’d « return in an instant ». Mark and Judy were recently taken aback by the quiet, crowd-free scenes that welcomed them in the eastern Cypriot resort town of Protaras.

Protaras is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, being just a brief, 17-minute drive from the top European party hub of Ayia Napa. Mark and Judy chose to visit the hotspot during the off-peak season and were taking a relaxed walk through the main strip « days before the tourists arrive ». In a recent vlog for their YouTube channel, Gypsy Souls, they began by noting that local businesses were beginning to « open up for the season », with Mark commenting that they were « coming out of hibernation ».

Setting off in search of a refreshing beverage to combat the heat, the duo left their spot near a fountain and a prominent Protaras sign.

Judy provided viewers with an overview of the area, indicating Easter egg statues before drawing attention to the nearby Capo Bay Hotel and the route to the beautiful Fig Tree beach.

As they strolled down the street, Judy observed that the businesses they could see were « quite closed », but they picked up on the enticing scent of food and heard « tunes thumping ».

Hotel bookings to the country have fallen 40 per cent after the recent conflict in Iran, but the couple said the emptiness they witnessed was simply down to it being an off-peak time.

Judy went on to reveal that their viewers had suggested some bars to visit. However, highlighting a potential drawback of travelling out of season, Judy regretfully noted that some were not yet open. Undeterred, she pointed out that others were still operational, specifically the Greenery.

Upon reaching the end of the road, Mark and Judy turned back, drawing the viewers’ attention to more closed businesses on the opposite side of the street. Judy said: « We’re hoping that by the time we go, some of these will start to open. So, as we come into the end of our time here, hopefully, they should all start to open, and you’ll be able to see the transformations. »

Mark and Judy eventually made their way to the Greenery, where Mark savoured a pint and they shared a kebab and chips. Reflecting on their off-season experience, they told the Mirror: « We had a wonderful holiday and would return in an instant. » As Cyprus gears up for the impending holiday season, however, reports suggest that many tourists will be giving the Mediterranean island a miss this year.

Hotel reservations are reportedly down by 40% as US and Israeli-led military action in Iran persists. As part of the so-called Operation Epic Fury, the two countries initiated a bombing campaign against the Middle Eastern nation on February 28, with the conflict still underway.

In response, Iran launched widespread retaliatory strikes on its Gulf neighbours and blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Earlier this month, a pro-Iranian militia launched a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri, a British base in Cyprus.

AirDNA figures reveal that cancellation rates for short-term rentals in Cyprus jumped from approximately 15% before the conflict to as much as 100 per cent in the days after the war commenced. According to the Daily Mail, roughly a third of Cyprus’ tourists are British travellers, with four million international visitors travelling to the island in 2025 in total.

Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at TravelSupermarket, told the outlet: « When global events change holiday plans, we tend to see travellers pivot quickly. The Caribbean is a natural beneficiary.

« What’s striking here isn’t just the overall jump in searches, but how broadly that interest is spread. Destinations like Turks and Caicos and Tobago aren’t typically where British holidaymakers look first, so to see them surging suggests people are still keen to try somewhere new. »