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Cyprus Residents’ Overseas Travel Spending Rises 22% To €2.5 Billion In 2025

Residents of Cyprus travelled more frequently and spent more on trips in 2025, with overseas travel expenditure reaching €2.53 billion, up 22.2% year on year. Domestic travel spending also increased significantly, rising by 28.6% to €385.9 million.

The figures point to stronger travel activity both within Cyprus and abroad, although the number of residents travelling exclusively within the country declined.

More Residents Travelled Abroad

The number of residents who travelled only abroad rose by 19.8%, from 169,525 in 2024 to 203,102 in 2025. A further 215,528 residents travelled both within Cyprus and overseas, an increase of 2.9%.

Trips abroad totalled 1,957,292, up 12% from 1,747,492 in 2024. Personal travel, including holidays and visits to family and friends, accounted for 83.3% of overseas trips, while business travel represented 16.7%.

Rented accommodation, including hotels, guesthouses and campsites, was used on 75.9% of trips abroad. The remaining 24.1% involved non-rented accommodation.

Domestic Trips Increase By Nearly 15%

The total number of trips within Cyprus increased by 14.7%, from 1,619,371 in 2024 to 1,858,029 in 2025.

Personal reasons accounted for 96.1% of domestic trips, including holidays, visits to relatives and friends, health-related travel and pilgrimages.

Rented accommodation was used on 57.5% of domestic trips, while the remaining 42.5% involved non-rented options such as second homes or stays with family and friends.

Travel Spending Rises At Home And Abroad

Domestic travel expenditure reached €385.9 million in 2025, an annual increase of 28.6%. Accommodation accounted for 36.8% of spending, closely followed by food and drinks at restaurants and cafés, at 36.5%. Transport represented 8.6%, while other expenses made up 18.1%.

Spending on overseas trips climbed 22.2% to €2.531 billion. Transport was the largest expense category, accounting for 35.2% of the total. Accommodation represented 23.3%, food and drinks at restaurants and cafés 23.1%, and other expenses 18.4%.

Overall, the figures show that Cyprus residents increased both their travel activity and expenditure in 2025, with overseas trips continuing to account for the largest share of travel spending.

Evel Elects New President As Maria Theocharous Takes Over For 2026–2029 Term

Maria Theocharous has been elected president of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), taking over from Yiannis Tsouloftas for a three-year term covering 2026–2029. Theocharous previously served as the chamber’s vice-president for tourism.

The leadership transition marks a new chapter for one of Cyprus’ main regional business organisations, with the new board set to represent the district’s key economic sectors.

New Leadership Emphasises Cooperation

The chamber’s annual meeting brought together government, business and local authority representatives, including Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianos, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) president Stavros Stavrou, Limassol district local government organisation president Yiannis Tsouloftas and Limassol mayor Yiannis Armeftis.

Speakers highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between public authorities and businesses in supporting Limassol’s economic development.

Representatives of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) also congratulated Theocharous on her election and thanked the outgoing president for his cooperation. The CSC described Evel as a longstanding partner, noting the chamber’s contribution to Limassol’s business development over more than six decades.

Tsouloftas Reviews Six Years As President

In his final address, Tsouloftas reviewed the chamber’s work between 2020 and 2026, highlighting its advocacy for major infrastructure projects and efforts to address development challenges across the district.

He also outlined initiatives to remove obstacles facing local businesses, accelerate development plans and improve the conditions for economic activity.

Tsouloftas will remain involved as immediate past president, providing continuity during the transition.

New Board Covers Key Business Sectors

The new board includes representatives responsible for the chamber’s main portfolios:

  • Ilikos Charalambous, vice-president for commerce
  • Vasos Demetriades, vice-president for industry
  • Christos Nicolaou, vice-president for services
  • Nicolas Agiomamitis, vice-president for tourism
  • Ilias Theodorou, vice-president for finance
  • Demosthenes Mavrellis, vice-president for innovation and technology
  • Ilias Neocleous, honorary secretary

Other board members are Minos Agathocleous, Marios Antoniou, George Demetriou, Anastasios Kounoudis, Marios Constantinou, Xanthos Nemptsas, Antonis Pappas, Charalambos Pattichis, Chrysis Petousis, Farah Shammas, Andreas Tsouloftas and Kyriacos Hadjiathanasiou.

Costas Ioannides, Agathi Katsi, Anna Petraki, Filippos Filis and Tonis Hadjiloucas have been appointed members by distinction. The chamber also highlighted the growing participation of women in business leadership and decision-making.

Chamber Recognises Longstanding Contributions

The annual meeting also recognised businesses and individuals for their contributions, including members who have maintained continuous membership for 50 years.

Tributes were paid to three former contributors to the chamber, Tonis Antoniou, Dimi Mavropoulos and Andreas Laou, in recognition of their service.

Under Theocharous’ leadership, Evel begins its 2026–2029 term with a board covering commerce, industry, services, tourism, finance and innovation. Its priorities include continuing to represent Limassol businesses and advocating for the investment and cooperation needed to support the district’s economic growth.

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