The MPs of the Parliament's Finance Committee were particularly concerned yesterday, after the examination of the budget of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for 2027. As it turns out, the budget is set at €59.5 million. for 2027, compared to €74.2 million. in the approved budget of 2026, showing a decrease of approximately €14.8 million. or 19.9%.
Asked by MPs to explain the reasons for the reduction in the 2027 budget, the Deputy Minister of Tourism noted that this reduction is due on the one hand to appropriations provided in the corresponding last year for hospitality purposes due to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, and on the other hand to actions of the Recovery and Resilience Plan that ends at the end of the year, to underline that there is no substantial differentiation.
Furthermore, Mr. Koumis stated regarding the budget that it amounts to €59.5 million. Of which about 62% concerns actions for the promotion of the destination and the enrichment of the tourism product, such as promotions, participation in tourism exhibitions and incentive schemes amounting to €4.4 million. Regarding the promotion costs, he added that the existing fund is sufficient to achieve the goals of the Deputy Ministry, adding that tourism also depends on the tourism product offered.
DISY MP Nikos Georgiou had requested explanations for the fact that the expenses for promotion and promotion of the country abroad are reduced compared to 2026. "Frankly, we cannot understand the logic, especially at a time when geopolitical crises are not only continuing but intensifying, the international environment remains unpredictable and inflationary pressures and high prices are weighing on the whole world." He added that the state must invest in the extension of the tourist season, in attracting new markets, in the development of winter tourism, and in the development of alternative forms of tourism.
In turn, AKEL MP, Andreas Pasiourtidis, said that the Government continues to invest in communication declarations at a time when the essential problems of tourism remain unresolved. "The budget of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for 2027 is reduced by €14.8 million. euros, while almost €27 million. are intended for outreach campaigns, without clearly showing the balance sheet and the actual return on these costs. Where are the measurable results? Where is the comprehensive treatment of seasonality, the substantial support of small and medium-sized enterprises and the safeguarding of decent jobs", he asked.
In addition to the above, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, speaking after the end of the session, expressed the assessment that "by the end of the year, if the course of the coming months is similar to that of the previous year, the revenue index will record a decrease of only 3% - 4%, which under the circumstances is a very satisfactory performance». For the first seven months of the year, tourism revenues recorded a decrease of 7% compared to the previous year, but an increase of 9.2% and 13.8% compared to the years 2024 and 2023.
