Nicosia: Hotel occupancy rates during the Easter period ranged between 25% and 45%, Christos Angelides, Director General of the Cyprus Hotel Association, told CNA, noting that the situation with cancellations and reduced bookings remains largely unchanged.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Angelides said that hotel activity during Easter was limited, especially in the domestic market. He mentioned that the weighted average occupancy rate ranged between 25% and 45%, and added that Easter is not traditionally a peak period for Cypriots to stay in hotels. Many prefer to travel abroad or get together with family, leading to figures slightly below what would normally be expected for the period.
Angelides also noted that most hotels have already opened for the summer season, with all expected to be open by April 20. When asked about booking levels for the summer, he pointed out that the current pace has not improved over the past five weeks. Some cancellations are continuing, and the rate of new bookings is not sufficient to improve the overall picture.
He expressed hope that bookings will increase to a level that can offset the cancellations. Despite a slight improvement in the level of cancellations, there is no strong momentum in bookings after six weeks of the ongoing crisis. The picture appears somewhat improved, but without many signs of recovery. Even though Cyprus is not at the epicenter of the crisis, its hotel industry remains affected and has not managed to shake off the impact.
Angelides highlighted that hotels continue their social media and advertising campaigns, while maintaining in-person contacts through frequent overseas trips by hotel sales managers. He emphasized the importance of continuing and intensifying the campaign promoting Cyprus as a safe and welcoming destination, with all the advantages it has offered over the years, to move past the current challenges.