Let's start with the hackneyed. Tourism is a locomotive of the Cypriot economy. Both for its impact on growth and for the fact that it directly or indirectly affects a large number of similar sectors, which it drags either upwards or downwards.
Therefore, the current course of the sector greatly affects several similar sectors, affects the revenues and expenses of the state, affects the number of unemployed and to a certain extent investments. Therefore, problems that either arise over time or from time to time, should be prioritized in terms of their solution.
November is a point of reference
That said, let's put the data in order. This year, which is heading towards its completion, has moved at a particularly high pace, which is expected to bring new records in arrivals and revenues. Of the two, the most important is of course revenue, as for years we have been trying to attract quality instead of mass tourism, with visitors who spend more. Something that seems to be achieved in recent years, the result of two main factors. The extension of the tourist season and the opening up to new markets. Both October, but even more so November, are in a way a milestone in the decades-long effort to extend the tourist season. As we are informed by market professionals, the November results are expected to be proof that a particularly important step has been achieved in the effort to extend the season. What does this mean in practice? That hotels and the country in general are included in the packages of tour operators for a longer period of time. Therefore, a traveller who did not see Cyprus as an option to travel to date, will now locate it and possibly choose it in November. Second, and perhaps even more important, the state itself, and especially public finances, reap a significant benefit. On the one hand, the revenues due to taxation collected are increased and on the other hand, the expenses from the unemployment benefits paid are reduced.
The three points for 2026
At the same time, the messages for 2026 are equally encouraging. For more than one reason. (1) The messages received by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, from his presence at the international tourism exhibition in London were particularly optimistic. An extremely important fact as it concerns one of the largest exhibitions in the world and second took place in the largest market for tourism in Cyprus.
(2) The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 is expected to contribute positively to Cypriot tourism among others. During these six months, a large number of European officials, as well as representatives of various European organizations, will visit our island to attend various events, meetings and presentations. Therefore, it is a first-class opportunity to advertise our country and achieve the arrival of high-quality tourists for the future. Already, it is important that the Ministry of Transport has announced the signing of an agreement between the Department of Civil Aviation and AEGEAN Airlines for the direct connection between Larnaca and Brussels, within the framework of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) mechanism. The contract entered into force on December 1, 2025 and ends on November 30, 2026. A specific flight schedule has been established: 3 weekly return flights for December 2025. 5 weekly flights for the period January-June 2026. 3 weekly flights for July 2026. 2 weekly flights for the period August-November 2026. A maximum fully flexible economy class fare has also been set at €400 each way, including all additional charges such as service fees, fuel, a 20-23kg bag and a meal.
(3) A significant number of hotels have stated since this year that they will be in operation both in March, i.e. before the new tourist season actually begins, and in November, i.e. after its end. This was done so that tour operators can include them in the packages they will prepare for the new year. This is a small but important step in the effort to extend the season, boost revenues and arrivals and promote the Cypriot product even more.
The stable quartet
Here it is important to emphasize that after the loss of Russian tourists, there was an immediate mobilization to replenish the lost ground, an effort which a few years later we can say that it succeeded to a significant extent. This is because the top four in terms of arrivals on the island are now the United Kingdom, Poland, Israel and Germany. After the successful venture with Poland, Germany followed, which is also on the right track, while it seems that Saudi Arabia will be the next target. A key role in the effort to attract tourists from new destinations was the strengthening of air connectivity.
In this regard, Hermes Airports announced that passenger traffic at Cypriot airports today reached 13 million passengers since the beginning of the year, marking the highest level ever recorded in Cyprus. The milestone concerns both departing and arriving passengers and reflects the dynamic growth of the country's air connectivity. According to the company, this achievement is the result of long-standing efforts and cooperation between Hermes Airports, tourism operators and the state. The increase in traffic is linked to the expansion of the network to 160 routes, 60 airlines and 41 countries, which, as the company notes, confirms that the strategy to strengthen connectivity is moving in the right direction.
There is no shortage of problems
Of course, not everything could be rosy. Structural problems have plagued the tourism industry for years, while new issues have been added to them which also create obstacles to the development of the industry. One of them is the issue of water scarcity. The water shortage is intensifying year by year and hotels, being among the largest water consumers, are monitoring the situation with concern. The solution for mobile desalination plants may not be the solution to the problem, but it is important to find a permanent solution to such a large and serious issue. As we are informed, the issue of licensing is another big headache for hotels, which they will try to solve with a regulation in the standards of Greece. The lack of labour, the expensive electricity, the difficulties in installing photovoltaics and the transition of a large number to the occupied territories are the main issues that should be resolved, in order to improve our product and at the same time to develop the industry.
