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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Cyprus Farmers Push For Stricter Controls Amid Aftodi Fever Outbreak

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 25, 2026

Cyprus’ livestock sector is rallying for immediate and coordinated action to prevent an escalating outbreak of aftodi fever, a highly contagious disease threatening cattle, sheep, and goat farms throughout the island.

Unified Call For Enhanced Veterinary Measures

Representatives of cattle, sheep, and goat farmers are calling for updated island-wide protocols. Kostas Konstantinou, Vice President of the Goat and Sheep Breeders Group “O Poimenas” and member of the Coordinating Committee of Livestock Groups, said Veterinary Services should introduce revised measures without regional differences to limit further spread of the disease.

Learning From European Best Practices

Drawing parallels with strict protocols adopted by several European nations, Mr Konstantinou noted that countries that implemented stringent measures managed to contain the outbreak within three months, limiting its spread to a radius of 10-20 kilometres. His message is clear: only with uncompromising actions can further transmission be prevented, thereby safeguarding both animal life and the economic well-being of the livestock sector.

Reinforcing Protocols And Accountability

Nikolaos Papakyriakou, General Director of the Pan-Cypriot Livestock Association, stressed the need for immediate compensation mechanisms for affected farms. He added that Veterinary Services and law enforcement must strictly control human and vehicle access to affected areas. Producers have also received updated guidance aimed at improving early detection and response.

Economy At Risk And A Call For Presidential Intervention

Pan-Cypriot Livestock Association Secretary General Panikos Champas warned that failure to contain the outbreak could significantly impact the national economy, noting that livestock products such as halloumi generate more than €400 million in annual revenue. He also cautioned that large-scale livestock losses could affect employment and called for emergency measures similar to those implemented during the 2007 outbreak.

Maintaining Strict Operational Controls

Industry representatives, including Kyriakos Kailas, President of the Pan-Grocers Association, support immediate containment actions, including targeted disinfection and quarantine measures. Current restrictions already include limits on animal and feed movement, with stakeholders warning that delayed action could worsen the situation.

As Veterinary Services intensify monitoring, livestock groups say consistent enforcement and coordinated action remain essential to preventing wider spread.