The statement last Tuesday by the President of the Republic that the decrease in visitor arrivals in Cyprus amounts to only 6.5% caused a sensation in tourist circles. The specific percentage cited by Mr. Christodoulidis does not result from either the data of the Statistical Service, or those of Hermes.
In fact, the fact that President Christodoulidis had not clarified to which period he was referring, nor from which source these data came, increased the confusion that was created.
Professionals in the sector now put forward the need to hold a broad meeting on tourism, in the presence of all bodies (public and private), in order to identify the problems in detail and provide the right solutions. At the same time, it is noted, it is imperative today, more than ever, that all bodies move in the same line, that different percentages do not come out of each professional group and that there is not even the suspicion that one side is fighting the other.
Information from "F" states that industry professionals now consider a broad meeting on tourism imperative, as everyone should have a clear picture of the current situation.
For example, in which province the biggest problem is located and in which the smallest. Which category of hotels record relatively high occupancy rates and which ones are small. If the percentages given by the President are valid, then there may be an issue with the percentages of the other organizations. In this regard, if the percentages are correct, then where do tourists who come to the island end up? In the occupied territories, in Airbnb-type accommodation, or in unlicensed accommodation? Where should we focus in order to win over last-minute travellers from competitors abroad?
The critical four months
The fact that in a few days we are entering June, i.e. the summer season itself, increases the need for even greater mobilization of those directly involved, in order to reverse the climate that has been created for our country.
According to the data recorded in recent years, the months of June to September cover about 60% of the turnover that takes place throughout the year.
Therefore, in the event that the situation is immediately reversed, it will be possible to cover the damage to date. Otherwise, the future is bleak for one of the most key sectors of the Cypriot economy.
PtD: Only 6.5% reduction
More specifically, after his greeting at the presentation of the new development tourism strategy of the Municipality of Paralimni – Deryneia and asked about the course of tourism in our country, the President of the Republic noted that the clear goal of the Government is summarized in the effort to continuously upgrade the tourism product of our country.
In addition, the President of the Republic said that, according to the data presented during the last meeting of the Council of Ministers by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, the reductions in arrivals in Cyprus are 6.5% and assured that the Government is here "to support as needed", he noted characteristically. "Real development comes when the state, local authorities, the business world and society, operate with a common vision and a common direction, where we want to lead our country," added Mr. Christodoulides.
Statistic: 17.9% decrease in the four months
However, what data did the other competent bodies provide a few days ago? The Statistical Service, on May 18, announced the results in relation to tourist arrivals in April.
According to them, arrivals amounted to 303,031, compared to 418,730 in April 2025, marking a decrease of 27.6%.
For the period January – April 2026, tourist arrivals amounted to 710.370 compared to 865.326 in the corresponding period of 2025, recording a decrease of 17,9%. Arrivals in the previous month, i.e. March 2026, had amounted to 139.198 compared to 200.736 in March 2025, recording a decrease of 30,7%.
For the period January – March 2026, tourist arrivals amounted to 407.339 compared to 446.596 in the corresponding period of 2025, recording a decrease of 8,8%.
Hermes Airports: Loss of passengers 9%
On May 6, Hermes Airports in a statement, in which it wanted to clarify the landscape after reports about passenger traffic, noted, among other things, that April of this year ended with a decrease of 16% compared to the corresponding month of 2025, i.e. a decrease of 95,000 arriving passengers in absolute numbers.
The average aircraft occupancy rate in April was 76% for both airports compared to 83% in the same period last year.
Regarding the scheduling of flights by airlines for the period April – October, there is a decrease in total seats, which does not exceed 5% (600 thousand seats). The estimated loss of passengers for this period is 9%, i.e. about 450,000 arriving passengers.
Encouragingly, Hermes Airports noted, is that from April 20 onwards, the occupancy rates of arrivals ranged between 80%-85%, while in the main tourist markets such as the United Kingdom and Poland, occupancy rates exceed 90%.
Hoteliers and agents
The General Director of PASYXE, Christos Angelidis, immediately after the announcement of the results for the April arrivals, had pointed out that "it seems, unfortunately, that we will not have the results of May that we all expected. The information that the Association receives daily demonstrates a weakness in the flow of bookings."
Mr. Angelidis added that for the summer the occupancy is between 40% and 60% this year, while in previous years it was much higher and amounted to 80% to 85%. "What concerns us is the flow of bookings, which is lower around 5-6 times," he added.
For his part, the President of the Association of Travel and Travel Agents (ACTA), Haris Papacharalambous, on the same day, had expressed the estimate that "when we arrive in September - October there will be a decrease in arrivals of around 5% to 7%", while the total decrease for the year is expected to eventually amount to between 10% - 15%.
Koumis: Great pessimism is not justified
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, in his statements last Tuesday at the Presidential Palace, had stated, among other things, that the data show a steady and gradual recovery of tourist flows.
In particular, Mr. Koumis said that it was "absolutely expected" that the developments of the previous months would have an impact on tourist traffic, pointing out that this "also happened in other destinations due to geopolitical developments".
As he said, "it is also understandable to make a comparison with the previous year", but reminded that "2025 was a record year for Cypriot tourism", noting that "the comparison is made with an extremely high base".
"We do not ignore the difficulties, but the data do not justify great pessimism," he said.
