August is expected to be the worst in decades where hotel occupancy rates are concerned, chairman of the Paphos hotels association Thanos Michaelides said on Tuesday, as Cyprus faces the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis.
According to Michaelides, the occupancy rate in June was not more than 15 per cent and July was not expected to be much better, at around 20 per cent at best.
Weekends are the busiest with around 60 per cent occupancy but overall, “it will not exceed 20 per cent in July (for the whole month).”
Around 20 hotels would be operating in July, but a few more were expected to open for August as it is holiday period.
Michaelides said August may be somewhat better due to increased local tourism but it is likely to be the weakest August of the past few decades where occupancy rates are concerned.
The British market is very important to Paphos, he added, and the association is waiting to see how things will develop with the UK.
Currently, tourists arriving to Paphos are from Germany, a few from Austria and more Cypriots, Michaelides said.
He expressed his satisfaction over a two-day visit by deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios in the Laona region and Polis Chrysochous.
They visited many villages, discussed what each one could offer, the problems with each one and what opportunities could be created for tourism, he said.
Michaelides added he could not make any predictions for autumn because everything was too uncertain.
