Cyprus And India Advance Maritime Ties Ahead Of Shipping Mission

Cyprus and India are looking to turn closer political ties into stronger commercial cooperation in the maritime sector, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis preparing an official visit to India alongside a delegation of Cypriot shipping companies.

From Diplomatic Momentum To Commercial Action

Hadjimanolis met India’s High Commissioner to Cyprus, Manish Manish, on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming mission and opportunities to expand cooperation between companies from both countries.

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According to the Shipping Deputy Ministry, the visit will focus on business-to-business meetings, giving Cypriot maritime companies direct access to potential Indian partners and new commercial opportunities.

Joint Maritime Framework Takes Shape

The two officials also discussed the implementation of the Bilateral Agreement on Merchant Shipping and preparations for the first Cyprus–India Joint Maritime Committee, which is expected to provide a structured platform for cooperation between the two governments and their maritime industries.

The agreement was signed during former president Nicos Anastasiades’ state visit to India in April 2017 and covers cooperation in merchant shipping and maritime transport.

Strategic Partnership Lays The Groundwork

Tuesday’s meeting followed President Nikos Christodoulides’ state visit to India from May 20 to 23, during which Cyprus and India elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership.

During talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides identified shipping as a key area for strengthening trade and connectivity between the Indo-Pacific and Europe.

They also agreed to establish a joint task force to advance cooperation in shipping, infrastructure and maritime security.

Why The Opportunity Matters

The planned mission aims to translate those commitments into commercial partnerships.

Cyprus is positioning itself as a gateway to the European market for Indian companies through its EU membership and established shipping sector. India, in turn, offers Cypriot maritime businesses access to one of the world’s largest shipping markets, supported by an extensive network of ports, shipbuilding, logistics and seafarer services.

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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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