CITEA Elects New Board With Strategic Industry Leadership

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 30, 2026

The Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA), a prominent entity within the Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev), has unveiled its newly elected board of directors for the 2026–2027 term following its annual general meeting.

Key Leadership Appointments

George Malekkos of GM Powersoft Insights has been appointed president, affirming his position as a visionary leader in the tech industry. IBM’s Antonia Michael was selected as vice president, reinforcing the board’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth.

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Diverse Expertise Across the Industry

The new board panel comprises distinguished professionals representing a broad spectrum of the technology and professional services landscape. Notable members include Nikos Kaisis of AA AcenetWorks, Michalis Michael of AC Goldman Solutions, Aris Anastasiadis of Advance Business Solutions, Andreas Kasiouris of Ath Loizou, and Stelios Kolou of AT Multitech.

Further extending its industry reach, the board also welcomes Stavros Theofilou of Blue Sun Automation, Michalis Nicolaou of CDMA Services, Elena Strouthou of Cocoon Creations, Alexandros Makrygiannis of Cyta, and Angelos Kountouris of Cytacom.

Expert Insights And Strategic Collaboration

Adding to the board’s strategic expertise, representatives from leading consulting and audit firms—Michalis Ziniaris of Deloitte, Minos Georgakis of PwC, and Thomas Hoplaros of Simplex—will further strengthen CITEA’s influence. At the public segment of the meeting, Themis Papasolomontos, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Technology, delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Energy, underscoring the collaborative synergy between the ministry and CITEA. Oev President Giorgos Pantelides also emphasized the association’s pivotal role within the federation.

Looking Forward

The ceremony concluded with outgoing President Dimitris Nisiotis reflecting on the board’s significant contributions over his tenure, highlighting key initiatives and collaborative successes that have defined CITEA’s robust role in supporting its member community. As the association embarks on a new chapter, the fresh board is poised to drive further advancements in Cyprus’s technology sector.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

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Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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