Filenews 25 October 2025
The tourism industry is recording an increase at all levels, conquering firsts and achieving new records. Already in 2025 it is expected to reach new historical levels, while the good course is expected to continue in 2026.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, yesterday gave an overall picture of the industry, during the discussion in the Parliamentary Committee on Finance of the budget of the Deputy Ministry for 2026. Among what he mentioned, the increase in the contribution of tourism to the Cypriot GDP, the rise to record levels of revenues and arrivals, the strengthening of air connectivity, as well as the preparation of a new National Tourism Strategy stand out.
In more detail, Kostas Koumis expressed optimism that in 2026 the good course of tourism will continue, which in 2025 will record new record levels. Soon and within 2026, according to Mr. Koumis, the following are expected: (a) The approval of the amended National Tourism Strategy, (b) actions for the promotion of the country abroad and (c) a modern licensing and operating framework in the tourism sector.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism made a special reference in relation to the increase in the contribution of the sector to the Cypriot GDP, He noted that the contribution of tourism in 2025 reached 14% of GDP, from 13.3% in 2024. Similarly, traveller arrivals in the period between January and September 2025 recorded an increase of 10.3% compared to the corresponding period last year and 41% over a three-year horizon. He specifically noted that the 1st nine months of 2025 were the best in the history of the country's tourism, while Cyprus recorded the largest increase in the EU in terms of accommodation in licensed accommodation. He added that Cyprus also ranks first among all European countries in the Mediterranean in relation to the increase in tourism revenues for the first half of the year, since tourism revenues for the first half of the year recorded an increase of 21.3%.
Regarding the budget of the Deputy Ministry for 2026, Mr. Koumis stated that it amounts to €74.6 million, of which, €27.7 million (37.1%), €14.9 million have been budgeted for information campaigns and promotion actions. (20%), as expenses related to grant schemes mainly related to the improvement of the tourism product, €19.5 million (25%), concerns operating expenses, of which €6.1 million (8.2%) expenses for hosting the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, while the rest is budgeted for other expenses.
Referring to air connectivity, he said that according to data from the Aviation Council International last June, Cyprus was in second place at a pan-European level in terms of improving air connectivity in the comparison of the years 2025 with 2019, while it has been ranked first in the comparison of the years 2025/2024, as a result of the addition of direct flights from airports in Europe and the Middle East.
Regarding the Cyprus Presidency, he said that there is indeed a gap in the direct connection of Larnaca airport with Brussels, adding that a relevant bidding process is underway by the Ministry of Transport.
