Total160 Russian tourists have been left helpless and stranded in Protaras hotels after a tour operator declared that his company was bankrupt leaving tourists in dismay.
The two hotels were notified by the tour operator Labirint that it had gone bankrupt and the tourists who were travelling under his banner will have to pay for their hotel stay.
There are seven tourists staying in one hotel and 150 in another. The company has asked the hotels to make the travelers go through the necessary paper works for later compensation through insurance.
The tourists are thoroughly upset by the event and have requested the Russian embassy to step in and negotiate matters.
The tour company has been operating successfully in Greece and brings 10,000 to 15,000 Russian tourists to Cyprus every year.
With bankruptcy faced by another Russian travel company Neva which brought 3,000 of around 600,000 Russian tourists who visit Cyprus each year suffered a shocking setback only two weeks ago. There are speculations that more such instances will take over the Russian market. These are signs of an unsettled market feel other tour operators.
The reason for this sudden crunch is attributed to the sudden expansion since the past two to three years ago. Organisers are forced to cut prices as they are unable to cope with the over supply of packages.
