The Effects of Non-Recognition and Its Implication on Sport Tourism

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is a de facto independent republic located in the north of Cyprus. The TRNC declared its independence in 1983.The partition of the Island occurred in 1974 and the Island divided into the north (the Turkish part) and the south (the Greek part). Hence, the Turkish established their government in the north, however, it is has not received an international recognition. Turkey is the only country which North Cyprus has collaborations diplomatically. As the island's main economic activity revolves around 'tourism', lack of recognition and various sanctions have curtailed the sector to experience various forms of hardships.The growth of interest in alternative forms of tourism worldwide presents an opportunity for development to take place even where political problems exist; however, the assumption is that the present political condition is not allowing the north to capitalize and utilize its tourism potentials-namely 'sport tourism'. The politics of the lack of recognition has manifested itself in the absence of direct flight, embargos, issuance of visas, absence of credit, aids and immobility of the institutional connections.