Cyprus Sees Robust 9.5% Increase In Tourist Arrivals In February 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 19, 2026

Robust Growth In February

Data from the Statistical Service reveals that Cyprus experienced a notable 9.5% increase in tourist arrivals during February 2026, with numbers rising from 133,760 in February 2025 to 146,516. This surge underscores a sustained recovery in the region’s tourism sector.

Early 2026 Performance Indicates Continued Momentum

For the combined period of January and February 2026, the total number of arrivals reached 268,141, compared to 245,860 in the same period last year. This 9.1% increase highlights the island’s growing appeal and robust performance as a top travel destination.

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Key International Markets Driving Growth

The United Kingdom led the influx, contributing 19.3% (28,217 arrivals) in February 2026, followed by Poland at 18.4% (27,003 arrivals) and Israel at 12.6% (18,530 arrivals). Greece (9.3% or 13,604 arrivals) and Germany (6.6% or 9,723 arrivals) also featured prominently.

Diverse Travel Motivations Among Visitors

Analysis of travel purposes indicates that 61.5% of visitors came to Cyprus for leisure, 21.6% visited friends or relatives, and 16.7% traveled for business. This distribution marks a modest shift from February 2025, where leisure travel stood at 60.3%, visits to friends or relatives at 20.4%, and business at 19.1%.

Surge In Outbound Travel Among Residents

Parallel to the increase in inbound tourism, outbound travel by Cypriot residents also surged. February 2026 saw 152,198 trips abroad, up from 124,232 in February 2025, representing a 22.5% growth. The predominant return destinations included Greece (30.8% or 46,902 trips), the United Kingdom (8.1% or 12,349 trips), Italy (4.2% or 6,382 trips), and Poland (4.1% or 6,287 trips).

Varied Purposes For Resident Travel

For Cypriot residents, leisure activities dominated outbound travel at 78.7%, followed by business engagements at 19.2%, academic pursuits at 1.5%, and other reasons at 0.6%. This diverse mix underscores a dynamic pattern of mobility among local travelers.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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