Eco-Tourism

Whilst the rise of the 5-star hotel resort seems to be pretty much the dominant force at present on the island, there are major efforts to boost offerings for visitors who wish to experience a more traditional type of existence whilst on holiday. Projects often funded by the government, grants and aid from the European Union, as well as NGO organization assistance and expertise, are already forcing the issue with some success.

The idea of ecotourism is to promote travel to places that have stayed relatively untouched by human intervention over the years. Defined as “responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people” ecotourism focuses on the nature and traditions of a country rather than the commercial additions that have been put in place to attract more visitors. It is also called “Green Tourism” with an emphasis on looking after the environment, conserving natural areas, and learning about the local people, their activities, lifestyle, and welfare. North Cyprus is a prime spot for ecotourism due to its unspoiled nature and prominence on local life, and a destination that truly takes you far away from the hum of fast-paced western culture. Find below a guide to some ecotourism hotspots, providing an insight into what to expect from a green holiday to NCY.

One such area of North Cyprus that has already benefited is a village called Büyükkonuk which is a real-life example of a sustainable community. Located at the gateway to the Karpaz region, Büyükkonuk has benefited from funding from the European Union to help its fruition as well as some forward-thinking individuals who have realized that mass hotel development is perhaps sometimes not the first choice for everyone. Visitors have the opportunity to learn traditional crafts like cotton weaving and basket making from local reed. Another local expertise, woodworking uses sustainable natural resources like pruned olive branches. There are olives to gather and process for their oil at the village mill, goats and cows to be milked, and homemade yogurt to be prepared. Workshops on bread and cheese making, are especially rewarding after sampling your very own finished Cypriot produce.

Old stone-made Cypriot buildings in this unique village have been restored using traditional techniques and used as guesthouses, popular with the alternative holiday seeker. Given the diversity of its historic, social, cultural, and natural resource assets, Buyukkonuk also known as Komi Kebir, is the pilot project for a scheme that will develop ecotourism in the Karpaz region and eventually become part of a “Global Eco-Village Network.” In the month of October each year, it hosts the most frequented event of the year, namely “Eco Day.” Only a one-day festival, it incorporates as many village traditions as possible to find time for, including traditional folk dancing, local music, and plentiful stalls selling local goods and produces.

Situated between the Mediterranean and Besparmak mountains, the village of Kormacit is another great spot for NCY ecotourism, nearby activities including botanical excursions combined with walking or biking tours, where specific local flora such as orchids and tulips can be observed. Kormacit is one of the rare spots in North Cyprus where you can also find agritourism at the same time, with activities including fruit picking, bread baking in mud ovens, Zivania distillation, making Hellim at the mini farm amongst domestic animals, and becoming one with nature, amongst the 700-year old olive trees in the nearby village of Kalkanli. Combined with decent accommodation opportunities next to the fields and village, Kormacit is yet another unique destination where fresh local produce is still used in ancestral recipes. Eco visitors can also use the many village restaurants and enjoy the very best of Cyprus cuisine, truly indigenous and homemade dishes that use locally farmed meat and poultry, freshly caught fish, and in-season farm-grown vegetables from the area.