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| Greater caution is noted for travel to Middle Eastern countries, where refunds are issued in case of cancellation. Image is AI |
''BUSINESS AS USUAL'' FOR EASTER TRAVEL - KNews 22/3 by Dorita Yiannakou
Cypriots will be packing their bags this Easter season as well, even in wartime conditions, carrying a small dose of uncertainty and insecurity. This year’s Easter, which falls on April 12, finds Cypriot travellers facing a different international environment. The conflict in the Middle East may be affecting fuel prices and inflation, but for now it does not seem to be dampening Cypriots’ desire and need to escape from everyday life and its problems.
According to data from tourism stakeholders, those Cypriots who had already booked their Easter holidays to popular European destinations before the outbreak of the war do not intend to change their plans.
As industry representatives told Kathimerini (K), this is mainly because they do not wish to cancel their Easter holidays, since in such a case they would not receive a refund. Refunds would only apply for trips to destinations in the Middle East. At the same time, there has not been a significant wave of new bookings from Cypriots for Easter travel following the outbreak of the war. This is attributed both to increased ticket prices for certain destinations and to the prevailing climate of insecurity and uncertainty in the market.
In particular, according to sector officials, there is a reduced flow of new travel package bookings this year compared to the same period last year. As for long-term holiday planning, there appears to be concern about the economic impact the war may have on households. Already, the war has begun to “show its teeth” to consumers, who are seeing fuel prices rise sharply since the outbreak. There is also concern about rising electricity prices, which, if the conflict continues, could exceed a 20% increase by August.
The picture
While geopolitical tension in the Middle East is affecting the global climate, Cypriots’ Easter trips abroad are not stopping, they are simply being made with less spontaneity. Concern exists, but it is not turning into panic, industry officials emphasized.
The fact that there is no wave of cancellations indicates that the need for travel and a change of scenery remains strong. Bookings are slightly lower compared to last year, but there is no mass cancellation trend. Positively, the difference is not dramatic and does not resemble crisis periods of previous years.
What has changed is the way decisions are made: travellers are more informed, consider alternatives, and choose destinations they perceive as safe. Destinations requiring transit through Middle Eastern hubs are being evaluated more carefully.
More specifically, travellers are asking tourism agencies whether their chosen destination is safe. In some cases, they revise their plans, turning to European destinations considered safer. Nevertheless, cancellations remain limited and mainly involve isolated cases.
Destinations
Greece remains a steady favourite for Cypriot travellers this Easter. According to tourism stakeholders, as in previous years, Greece ranks first among Cypriots’ choices for Easter, absorbing about 70–75% of outbound travel.
Orthodox Easter traditions, holiday customs, and the presence of thousands of Cypriot students in cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras reinforce this steady preference. Moreover, during periods of international tension, Greece is seen as a “safe option.” Many who might have planned more distant trips ultimately choose a Greek destination, as it offers a similar escape with less risk.
Beyond Greece, a significant number of Cypriots have chosen to travel this Easter to European capitals and cities for short getaways or visits to students. Paris and London remain timeless choices, while Central European cities such as Budapest, Prague, and Vienna are also seeing satisfactory demand.
Concerns
Some travellers reconsider their plans when routes include hubs such as Dubai or other areas geographically linked to the crisis.
However, even in these cases, the trend is not mass cancellations but rather changes of destination. Some opt to postpone their trips or shift toward European alternatives. The flexibility offered by many airlines for ticket changes also provides reassurance and reduces insecurity.
As observed, Cypriots are becoming more informed, reviewing ticket flexibility terms, and evaluating alternative routes.
According to officials, the war creates an environment of caution, but not paralysis. Cypriots’ Easter travel continues and, as industry stakeholders emphasize, in most cases it remains “business as usual.”
The data
Outbound travel by Cypriots increased in February 2026, before the war in Iran, which is expected to affect tourism flows in the coming months.
According to the statistical service, trips by Cyprus residents abroad in February 2026 reached 152,198 compared to 124,232 in February 2025, marking an increase of 22.5%.
The main countries from which Cyprus residents returned in February 2026 were Greece with 30.8% (46,902), the United Kingdom with 8.1% (12,349), Italy with 4.2% (6,382), and Poland with 4.1% (6,287).
