The rejection of the UN plan to reunite Cyprus could boost tourism in the Turkish part of the island if trade embargoes are lifted to allow direct flights into the north.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is currently not allowed to receive direct international flights as it is not recognised as a separate country, so passengers must fly via Turkey. The EU imposed a trade embargo on the north 15 years ago.

However, this restriction may now be lifted as a 'reward' to Turkey for voting to join the EU in a recent referendum, and for voting with a 65 per cent majority to reunite the island.

Cyprus rejected the UN plan for reunification with a 75 per cent majority in last weekend's referendum, meaning the Turkish North was blocked from joining the EU. 'The majority of Turks in Cyprus wanted to join the EU, but cannot because the Greek side of the island rejected the plan, and as a result the North will be penalised,' said Akin Koc, manager of specialist tour operator Anatolian Sky Holidays, which runs trips to the north.

'The result is that the Turkish side is already getting sympathy from the UN and the EU which I believe could lead to the recognition of Northern Cyprus and I think that very soon we will see flights operating direct from the UK once the embargo is lifted.'

A spokesman from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, which represents the rest of Cyprus, said the EU had not yet suggested that direct flights might be resumed. He said that it did not have a problem with tourists travelling from the South to the North but added: 'What we object to is people staying in hotels that were taken from Greek Cypriots.' Anyone crossing from the South to the North via the point of entry in Nicosia must return by midnight to prevent them doing so.

Some tourists have boycotted the north on political grounds, worried they would be staying in homes seized by Turkish forces from Greek Cypriots who were forced to the South in the 1974 invasion. This, along with the lack of direct flights, has meant Northern Cyprus has never been as popular with tourists as the southern part of Cyprus.

'Twenty years ago people didn't know we existed,' said a spokesman for the Northern Cyprus tourist board, 'but in the last eight to 10 years the number of people visiting has multiplied by ten. It's unspoilt, there are virgin beaches with no buildings for miles. Only four hotels have been built along the beach in the last 30 years.'

Anatolian Sky Holidays said 60 per cent of its clients return to Northern Cyprus, and Koc stressed that if the flight restrictions were lifted care would be taken to ensure the North was not overdeveloped. He hoped regulations preventing buildings above three storeys would be retained.

'Whether or not we have reunification in the medium term, both sides of the island will benefit from keeping the North as sanctuary for genuine undeveloped eco-tourism for the future.'