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2024: A Pivotal Year For Tourism And Economic Growth In Cyprus

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Kostas Koumis, has described 2024 as a milestone year for Cyprus’s tourism sector, highlighting record-breaking achievements in visitor arrivals and revenue. His remarks, delivered on Friday, follow the release of impressive figures by the Statistical Service.

Tourism Reaches New Heights

Koumis expressed satisfaction with the sector’s recovery, noting that arrivals and revenue have returned to, and even exceeded pre-pandemic levels. According to the Deputy Ministry, revenue from January to September 2024 rose by 31.1% compared to 2022 and 15.3% compared to 2019. Arrivals for the January–October period increased by 4.6% from 2023, and 26.7% from 2022, and even surpassed 2019’s figures by 0.8%.

Additionally, Koumis pointed out that per capita expenditure remains steady, reflecting sustained economic benefits from tourism. Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry’s strategy prioritises investment in rural tourism, environmental preservation, and community-driven benefits.

Resilient Sector and Strategic Success

The Deputy Ministry credited the robust performance to effective market-targeting decisions and the resilience of the tourism sector. Koumis emphasised that Cyprus’s approach to diversifying its tourism offerings and focusing on quality experiences has yielded significant results.

Economic Highlights: Fiscal Surplus and Revenue Growth

Cyprus’s broader economic performance in 2024 also stands out. Preliminary data from the Statistical Service reveals a surplus of €1.43 billion (4.2% of GDP) for January–October, up from €664.8 million (2.1% of GDP) during the same period in 2023.

Revenue Growth

  • Total Revenue: Increased by 6.6%, reaching €11.69 billion.
  • Taxes on Production and Imports: Grew by 6.2%, with net VAT revenue rising 7.6%.
  • Income and Wealth Taxes: Surged by 16%, amounting to €2.9 billion.
  • Revenue from Goods and Services: Jumped by 29.9%, reaching €822.7 million.

While some areas, such as social benefits and employee compensation, saw increases, the overall fiscal picture remains positive, driven by disciplined spending and strong revenue growth.

Looking Forward

With record-breaking tourism figures and a strong fiscal position, Cyprus is well-positioned for sustainable economic growth. Investments in rural development, community benefits, and environmental sustainability ensure that both the tourism sector and the wider economy will continue to thrive in the years ahead.

Revolut Eyes Valuation Surge Ahead Of Public Debut

IPO Targets And Strategic Growth

British neobank Revolut is targeting a valuation of $150 billion to $200 billion ahead of a potential initial public offering, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. The планы follow the company’s recent progress in securing a full banking license in the United Kingdom, a key step in strengthening its regulatory position.

Robust Financial Momentum

Recent transactions highlight a sharp increase in valuation. A secondary share sale lifted Revolut’s valuation from $45 billion in 2024 to $75 billion, positioning it among Europe’s most valuable fintech companies. CEO and co-founder Nik Storonsky has indicated that an IPO is unlikely in the near term, with a timeline of at least two years. Market expectations point to another secondary sale in the second half of 2026, which could push valuation beyond $100 billion.

Scaling Revenue And Customer Base

Growth in core metrics remains strong. Revolut reported revenue of $6 billion for the year ending December 2025, up from $4 billion in 2024. Net profit increased to $1.7 billion from $1 billion over the same period. The customer base expanded to 68.3 million retail users, reflecting continued adoption across key markets.

Global Expansion And Licensing Milestones

Founded in 2015, Revolut has expanded beyond payments into multi-currency accounts, transfers, crypto services, and insurance products. Operations now span multiple regions, supported by banking licenses in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Expansion into markets such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, the United States, and India reflects an ongoing international growth strategy. The company has also applied for a U.S. banking license, while upcoming launches in Colombia and Mexico further extend its geographic footprint.

Outlook For The Future

While the company has not confirmed IPO plans, valuation growth, rising revenues, and expanding global operations indicate continued momentum. Investor focus is likely to center on regulatory progress, profitability, and the ability to sustain growth ahead of a potential public listing.

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