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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 2, 2024

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%.

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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.

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Stelios Bi-Communal Awards To Award €500,000 Across 39 Teams In Cyprus

The annual Stelios Bi-Communal Awards, a hallmark of cross-community collaboration in Cyprus, will once again celebrate the innovative joint ventures between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs. The ceremony, scheduled for June 8 in Nicosia, underscores the vital role of business co-operation in fostering both economic growth and peaceful coexistence on the island.

Strengthening The Fabric Of Bi-Communal Collaboration

This year marks the 16th consecutive edition of the awards, which have contributed to creating business partnerships across the island. Organizers confirmed that 39 bi-communal teams, representing 78 entrepreneurs, will participate. According to the official announcement, Nikos Christodoulides is expected to attend the ceremony, adding institutional presence to the event.

Catalysing Innovation And Economic Opportunity

Teams are evaluated based on collaboration, innovation and business potential. The prize structure includes a Gold Award of €150,000, shared equally between partners. Two teams will receive Silver Awards totaling €200,000, while six teams will share €150,000 under the Bronze category. This structure distributes funding across multiple ventures at different stages of development.

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A Legacy Of Partnership And Investment

Since its launch, the programme has distributed more than €5.3 million in prize funding. Support comes from Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easy family of brands and chairman of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. The initiative continues to focus on supporting joint ventures between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs.

The Road Ahead

The upcoming ceremony, set to be held at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation headquarters at 5 Markou Drakou Street in Nicosia at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, promises to be a landmark event. It will gather entrepreneurs and senior officials in a celebration of bi-communal success, reaffirming the potential of entrepreneurship to bridge divides and drive sustainable growth in Cyprus.