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Cyprus Tourism Associations Warn Of Market Distortion Under New Recreational Areas Law

Fragmented Licensing Proposals Raise Concerns

The Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises and the Cyprus Hoteliers Association raised concerns over a proposed law on the establishment and operation of recreational areas, currently under review by the House Tourism Committee. In a joint statement, the associations said the proposal introduces a separate licensing framework that could create overlapping responsibilities across authorities.

Potential Impact On Market Integrity And Visitor Experience

According to the associations, the proposal would require an additional operating license for restaurants within hotel units, despite existing regulatory oversight. They said this could lead to duplication in licensing procedures and affect operating conditions across the sector.

Concerns Over Uniform Regulations And Noise Pollution

The associations also noted that the proposal applies uniform rules across different types of tourism establishments without accounting for operational differences. They said provisions related to operating hours and noise management may affect both business activity and visitor experience if not adjusted.

A Call For An Integrated And Coherent Approach

In their statement, the organisations said regulatory changes should be aligned within a single framework covering licensing, operations, and compliance. They argued that a coordinated approach would better support sector stability and service standards.

Strategic Legislative Delay

Stek and Pasyxe called on parliament to delay a decision on the proposal until a broader government initiative is completed. They said a revised bill should reflect sector requirements and broader policy considerations before being adopted.

Aegean Extends Its European Lead With 15th Straight Skytrax Win

Aegean Airlines has once again been named Europe’s Best Regional Airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards in London, extending its dominance in the category for a 15th consecutive year and marking its 16th overall win in 27 years of operations.

The Greek carrier, which serves Cyprus extensively across its network, also retained fourth place globally in the ranking for World’s Best Regional Airline, underscoring its continued strength in a highly competitive segment of the aviation market.

Recognition Backed By Passenger Feedback

The award was presented at the Langham Hotel in London, where Aegean representatives and cabin crew attended the ceremony to accept the distinction. Skytrax said the results are based entirely on passenger feedback collected through what it describes as the world’s largest airline customer satisfaction survey.

Widely regarded as one of the aviation industry’s most influential benchmarks, the Skytrax awards are often referred to as the “Oscars of the aviation industry.” For airlines, the recognition carries commercial weight as well as reputational value, since it reflects direct customer sentiment rather than a panel-led assessment.

Aegean Cites Trust, Service And Investment

Aegean said the latest accolade reflects the trust of its passengers and the airline’s sustained focus on service quality and the overall travel experience.

“It is a great honour for Aegean to be recognised once again as the ‘Best Regional Airline in Europe’,” said Michalis Kouveliotis, deputy chief executive of Aegean. “This distinction is particularly meaningful in today’s demanding and rapidly evolving environment, and is a testament to the commitment, professionalism and dedication of our people.”

He added that the award also reflects the confidence passengers have placed in the airline over nearly three decades of operations. “Maintaining the highest standards of quality is a long-standing commitment at Aegean, one that requires continuous investment, innovation and unwavering dedication,” he said.

Passenger Loyalty Remains A Competitive Advantage

Skytrax chief executive Edward Plaisted said Aegean’s repeated success demonstrates the strength of its customer proposition and the consistency of its onboard experience.

“Aegean Airlines’ repeated success in being named the Best Regional Airline in Europe reflects the strong passenger appreciation of their standards,” Plaisted said. “This success for a record 16th time demonstrates Aegean Airlines’ dedication to providing an excellent quality of onboard experience and consistent service delivery.”

For Aegean, the 2026 award extends an uninterrupted 15-year run at the top of the European regional airline category. Its fourth-place global ranking keeps the carrier among the leading regional airlines worldwide, reinforcing its position as a benchmark for service, reliability and passenger loyalty.

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