Cyprus distances itself from Eurovision rant

Cyprus tourism chiefs have distanced themselves from an "offensive" rant on social media by a director of one of the island’s leading travel companies following last Saturday’s Eurovision song contest.

Joelle Watkins, a senior manager in global marketing at Travelport, wrote to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation to complain after seeing the post on her Facebook feed on Saturday night.

Louis Loizou, an executive director of the Louis Group which has interests in hotels and cruise ships, allegedly wrote that it was "offensive and a disgrace" that Austrian drag queen Conchita (pictured above) had won the contest.

He ranted: "Returning home last night I saw who won and that is when I said "the world as we know it has come to its end"."

Loizou, a Cypriot who apologised to his Greek-speaking friends for writing in English, added: "I know Eurovision is supposed to be getting funnier and more peculiar each year but this is offensive and a disgrace….The way it is going there will be murderers crooks & paedophiles taking part! Shame shame shame to all involved in chosing [sic] these performers and for those who voted and those who accepted them.

"Values have disappeared. The world has come to a sad end. We need a new beginning. These are only my views. …not everybody has to agree with me!!"

He later updated his Facebook status, saying: "It seems that my status on the winning performance at this year’s Eurovision was largely misunderstood. I have many gay people in my circle of friends and I am very proud to have them as close friends.

"Therefore, in no way should that status be interpreted as homophobic. I do apologise if, in the spur of the moment, I chose some very inappropriate words when writing it. In no way did I intend to offend anyone. I merely wanted to express that taste wise, and in particular the beard element, was for me over the top."

But his apology came after complaints from colleagues in the industry and after Watkins had written to the CTO to complain about the "deeply shocking, offensive and discriminatory" comments.

She added: "Please can you advise whether or not these deeply shocking, offensive and discriminatory comments reflect Cyprus’s policy towards the LGBT community and whether you endorse them?

"As a part of that community, what assurances can you provide that myself and others will be warmly welcomed as future guests to Cyprus?"

In a statement, the CTO said: "The comment made by the particular individual is his own personal view and does not reflect the views of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation. 

"As the national tourist board of the Republic of Cyprus we welcome all visitors, from all walks of life, and it is our media communications policy to continue to promote Cyprus as a desirable holiday destination.

"The friendliness of Cypriots is legendary.  Our tourism partners continually provide distinguished and professional levels of service year on year.  Cyprus respects gender differences and preferences and complies fully with all related European laws and regulations."

Watkins has also written to Hilton Hotels & Resorts as the Louis Group owns the Hilton Cyprus and is the managing agent for the Hilton Park Nicosia.