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Cyprus Hotels Pledge Fully Staffed Operations Amid Improved Foreign Worker Permitting

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 28, 2024

In a significant development for Cyprus’s tourism industry, hotel associations PASYXE and STEK announced that hotels are set to operate without staffing shortages this year. This assurance follows a series of effective actions by the Ministry of Labour, which expedited the work permit process for foreign workers. Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou highlighted that, by the end of May, over 95% of applications had been processed, reducing the average permit processing time from over five months to less than two.

This accelerated process is a result of enhanced IT systems and strategic international agreements, addressing the critical labour needs of the tourism sector. The Ministry’s proactive measures ensure that the industry’s staffing requirements are met, allowing businesses to maintain high service standards during the peak season. Additionally, efforts to utilise local labour have contributed to a decrease in unemployment, though the domestic workforce alone cannot meet the sector’s extensive demands.

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The successful collaboration between the Ministry, tourism associations, and other stakeholders has led to these improvements. The agreement for better coordination among social partners played a crucial role, demonstrating the effectiveness of collective efforts in resolving labour market challenges. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, also acknowledged the broader significance of these improvements, noting that labour issues affect tourism industries globally.

This development is expected to help Cyprus achieve another successful tourism season, following a record-breaking year in 2023. The continued focus on efficient permitting processes and collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential for sustaining growth and ensuring the competitiveness of Cyprus’s tourism industry.

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.