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Cyprus Anticipates Surge of 20,000 Visitors During EU Presidency

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 10, 2025

Cyprus is poised to welcome approximately 20,000 visitors during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, President Nikos Christodoulides announced. Drawing tourists from across EU member states and beyond, the anticipated influx is based on detailed official planning for the coming period.

Visitor Projections And Historic Record In Arrivals

President Christodoulides highlighted that Cyprus’ two major airports recently set arrival records and are expected to replicate these historic figures. This achievement is attributed to the strong collaboration between the government and Hermes Airports, operator of both Larnaca and Paphos airports. “I want to publicly thank and congratulate Hermes Airports,” he said during his remarks.

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Strategic Collaboration With Hermes Airports

Christodoulides noted that this partnership has not only yielded impressive statistics last year but is also on track to do so this year. Emphasizing the importance of government cooperation with industry leaders, the president underscored that the record-setting performance at the airports is a clear signal of efficient and innovative management.

Cultural Showcase And EU Legacy

During the inauguration of the exhibition titled “Carte Postale. EU Journey Through The Lens Of Time” at Larnaca Airport, hosted in partnership with Hermes Airports, the president praised the event as a unique cultural narrative. The exhibition, which showcases approximately 250 curated postcards from across Cyprus and the 26 other EU member states, offers a visual journey back to the early 20th century—a time when personal correspondence was a primary mode of communication.

The collection, originally amassed by the late deltiologist Antonis Hadjipanayis and curated by his son, journalist Panicos Hadjipanayis, also serves as a memorial tribute. Christodoulides recounted Hadjipanayis’ origins as a refugee from Assia, who nurtured an early passion for postcard collecting from Cyprus and around the globe.

Heritage And Modern Day Connection

While acknowledging that the art of sending postcards may be considered outdated today, the president observed that this practice retains a nostalgic charm and pedagogical value for both older generations and youth alike. He also noted that such exhibitions are more than mere historical retrospectives; they are also a warm farewell to the many visitors anticipated during Cyprus’ EU Presidency.

Concluding his remarks, President Christodoulides commended Hermes Airports for their innovative use of historical material and extended his gratitude to Panicos Hadjipanayis and his family for their initiative in curating a memorable exhibition that bridges Cyprus’ rich heritage with its contemporary global engagement.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.