Nicosia: ?his year is pivotal for Cyprus’ tourism, President Nikos Christodoulides, said Tuesday addressing the General Assembly of the Cyprus Hotels Association (PASYXE), in Nicosia. He stated that tourism is not only a major contributor to the nation’s economy but also a vital pillar of economic growth, emphasizing the administration’s goal to restore tourism to its former high performance levels.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides highlighted the success of recent efforts in boosting the tourism sector, noting the significant achievements in 2024 with tourist arrivals surpassing 4 million and revenues exceeding 3 billion euros. He expressed satisfaction with the continued upward trend in arrivals and revenue for the first half of 2025, despite regional challenges and geopolitical tensions.
The President reported a 14.9% increase in tourist arrivals for the January-May period of 2025 compared to the previous year, and a 58.4% increase over three years since 2022. He also highlighted a nearly 25% rise in tourism revenues from January to March 2025. These gains are attributed to coordinated efforts to offset losses from international events affecting key markets like Russia and Israel.
President Christodoulides addressed the ongoing challenges posed by geopolitical instability due to events such as the Ukraine war, the Israel-Iran conflict, and terrorist attacks in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Despite these issues, Cyprus remains a stable and secure destination for tourists from various backgrounds.
The President acknowledged ongoing concerns such as the shortage of skilled human resources, high energy costs, water scarcity, and the effects of climate change. He assured that the government is actively working on practical, sustainable solutions to these issues while continuing to support the hotel and tourism industry.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism development, the President discussed government incentives with a strong green dimension. He outlined strategic priorities for 2025, including upgrading tourist destinations with a focus on sustainable development and geographic diversification.
He stressed the significance of tourism education and awareness, linking it to job market demands to enhance service quality and visitor experience. The upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 provides an opportunity to address tourism challenges, particularly climate change impacts on Mediterranean destinations.
Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, highlighted the strategic importance of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency for elevating the nation’s international image. She emphasized the critical role of the tourism sector in ensuring a successful presidency and outlined plans to leverage this opportunity for socio-economic benefits.
Raouna mentioned consultations with the European Commission for developing a new tourism strategy, urging active participation from Cypriot tourism stakeholders. The Presidency aims to promote balanced, inclusive, and sustainable tourism models, with plans for an informal EU Tourism Ministers meeting in Cyprus in June 2026.
The Deputy Minister noted that hosting over 250 meetings during the Cyprus Presidency would attract over 30,000 delegates, offering significant benefits for the hospitality and food sectors. She emphasized the opportunity for Cyprus to showcase high-quality services and infrastructure, creating added value for the economy.
She also mentioned the 91st HOTREC General Assembly in October 2025 as a significant event for the tourism industry, with government support underscoring its importance for Cyprus.