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Larnaca Poised For Robust Seasonal Tourism Growth

Steady Winter Demand And Continued Confidence

Larnaca is positioned to sustain a steady influx of tourists during the winter months, bolstered by current booking trends and the operational confidence of local hotels. Industry leaders forecast a strong performance driven largely by the city’s three key traditional markets: the United Kingdom, Israel, and Poland.

Wizz Air: A Strategic Catalyst For Expansion

The robust flight schedule from Larnaca International Airport remains a pivotal factor. Notably, Wizz Air’s extensive network from various European hubs is set to reinforce winter tourism. On September 18, the carrier will commemorate five years of its Cyprus base and the milestone of transporting ten million passengers via a high-profile event in the departures area, attended by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis and Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis.

Record Summer Occupancy And Evolving Accommodation Trends

Summer tourism continues to excel, with hotel occupancy rates remaining fully satisfactory and overnight stays in July up by 3% compared to the previous year. This robust performance is complemented by a growing preference among international visitors for Airbnb accommodations, as a significant number of new listings have recently joined the platform.

Ambitious Development Plans Reflect Investor Confidence

Renewed interest in expanding tourism infrastructure is evidenced by the Larnaca Town Planning Department. With 1,295 building permit applications recorded in the first seven months of 2025—a 53% increase from the same period in 2024 and a 73% increase from 2022—the future of Larnaca’s urban landscape is bright. Among these proposals are plans for 20 new boutique hotels in the commercial center, signaling strong investor confidence both locally and abroad.

This strategic alignment of increased visitor capacity and infrastructure development underscores Larnaca’s potential to not just weather seasonal fluctuations, but to emerge as a durable, top-tier destination in a competitive tourism market.

Electric Vehicle Leaders Urge EU To Maintain 2035 Zero Emission Mandate

Industry Voices Emphasize the Importance of Commitment

Over 150 key figures from Europe’s electric car sector, including executives from Volvo Cars and Polestar, have signed a letter urging the European Union to adhere to its ambitious 2035 zero emission goal for cars and vans. These industry leaders warn that any deviation could hamper the progress of Europe’s burgeoning EV market, inadvertently strengthen global competitors, and weaken investor confidence.

Evolving Perspectives Within the Automotive Community

This call comes in the wake of a contrasting appeal issued at the end of August by heads of European automobile manufacturers’ and automotive suppliers’ associations. That letter, endorsed by the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Kaellenius, argued that a 100 percent emission reduction target may no longer be practical for cars by 2035.

Discussion With EU Leadership on The Horizon

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with automotive industry leaders on September 12 to deliberate the future of the sector. Facing stiff challenges such as the rise of Chinese competition and the implications of US tariffs, the stakes for the EU’s policy decisions have never been higher.

Potential Risks of Eroding Ambitious Targets

Industry leaders like Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Polestar, caution that any weakening of the targets could undermine climate objectives and compromise Europe’s competitive edge in the global market. Michiel Langzaal, chief executive of EU charging provider Fastned, further highlighted that investments in charging infrastructure and software development are predicated on the certainty of these targets.

Regulatory Compliance And The Mercedes-Benz Exception

A report from transport research and campaign group T&E indicates that nearly all European carmakers, with the exception of Mercedes-Benz, are positioned to meet CO₂ regulation requirements for the 2025-2027 period. To avoid potential penalties, Mercedes must now explore cooperation with partners such as Volvo Cars and Polestar.

Conclusion

The industry’s unified stance underscores the critical balance between environmental aspirations and maintaining competitive advantage. With high-level discussions imminent, the EU’s forthcoming decisions will be pivotal in shaping not only the future of the continent’s automotive sector but also its global positioning in the race towards sustainable mobility.

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