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Cyprus Set To Surpass Record Tourism Revenues In 2025

Robust Growth in Tourism Sector

Cyprus’ tourism industry is on track to exceed last year’s record revenues and arrivals as it reports the strongest growth among its Euro-Mediterranean peers in the first half of 2025. According to recent data, tourism revenues increased by 21.3 percent year-on-year in the first six months, climbing to €1.38 billion from €1.14 billion in the comparable period of 2024.

Monthly Surge In Revenue

The momentum extended into June, where tourism earnings surged by 9.6 percent, reaching €422.3 million. This monthly performance underscores the steady and robust economic contributions of the tourism sector.

Positive Trends In Per Capita Spending

Visitor spending has also seen notable increases. In June, per capita expenditure rose by 6 percent to €847. British tourists, making up 36.4 percent of arrivals, spent an average of €103.92 per day. Meanwhile, Polish visitors, accounting for 7.3 percent of the market, spent €90.91 daily, and Israeli tourists, the third largest group at 6.1 percent, spent €149.44 per day.

Leading Among Euro-Mediterranean Competitors

Cyprus outperformed its regional peers with the highest revenue growth rate in Europe. Its first-half growth of 21.3 percent surpassed that of Malta at 21.1 percent, Greece at 11 percent, Spain at 8 percent, Turkey at 7.4 percent, and Italy at 5.7 percent. Notably, the growth was even higher at 27.2 percent over the first five months of 2025.

Government Optimism And Economic Impact

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Koumis, emphasized the critical role tourism plays in Cyprus’ economy. “Tourism was and remains one of the most important pillars of our country’s economy,” he stated, noting that 2024 experienced record levels in both arrivals and revenues—a trend expected to continue this year. Koumis further highlighted that advanced tourist economies are now focusing on revenue generation to better illustrate tourism’s significant contribution to national economic stability.

Future Prospects

With last year’s tourism sector contributing over €3 billion to the national economy, the early indicators of 2025 suggest that Cyprus is poised for another stellar performance. The substantial revenue growth observed so far is expected to escalate further, reinforcing the strategic importance of tourism for both businesses and local communities.

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

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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