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British Tourists Lead, With Israel And Poland Following In Cyprus Tourism Surge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
August 19, 2025

In a robust display of growth, July saw tourist arrivals in Cyprus climb by 6.9% year-over-year, with more than half a million visitors recorded. The latest figures from the state statistical service reveal that 589,116 tourists visited the island in July 2025, up from 551,229 in the same month last year.

Impressive Year-to-Date Growth

The upward trend is confirmed by a 10.4% increase in overall arrivals for the first seven months of 2025, which reached 2,432,129 compared to 2,203,704 during the corresponding period in 2024. This sustained growth underlines Cyprus’ continuing appeal as a premier tourist destination.

Key Source Markets

The United Kingdom remained the largest source of tourists in July, contributing 32.2% of the total with 189,730 visitors. Israel and Poland followed, accounting for 13% (76,557 arrivals) and 7.4% (43,713 arrivals) respectively. Other notable markets included Germany (4%), Sweden (3.5%), and Romania (2.9%).

Market Dynamics And Emerging Trends

The statistical data also highlight notable market variations. The Netherlands experienced the most significant increase in tourist arrivals at 44.3% compared to July 2024, while Poland and Romania saw robust growth rates of 23.3% and 23.6% respectively. In contrast, traditional markets such as Greece and Sweden witnessed declines of 20.8% and 13%, with France and Lebanon also showing notable downturns.

Visitor Profiles And Purpose Of Visit

Analyzing the purpose of travel, the vast majority of tourists (85.5%) visited Cyprus for holidays, followed by 11.6% coming to visit friends and relatives, and 2.8% on business. This distribution closely mirrors the trends from July 2024, albeit with minor shifts in percentages.

Resident Return Trends

Adding to the travel momentum, there was a 9.1% surge in the number of Cypriot residents returning from abroad in July 2025, totaling 186,987 compared to 171,382 the previous year. Greece emerged as the primary return destination, accounting for 36.8% of returning residents, followed by the United Kingdom and Italy.

Conclusion

These latest statistics underscore Cyprus’ dynamic tourism market and its growing appeal among international travelers. The continuing inflow of visitors from diverse markets, alongside strong resident travel performance, positions the island favorably in a competitive tourism landscape.

FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.

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