Bill On RoC-US Agreement For Travel Sent To House Plenary For Vote

Α bill on the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America for cooperation on the use of travel information is to be tabled to the House Plenary for a vote this week.

Justice Minister, Marios Hartsiotis, told the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs that if the bill is passed on time, possibly at the end of 2024, “certainly within 2025”, we will be able to talk about visa liberalisation.

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During the session, Hartsiotis briefed the Committee members on the bill concerning the agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Cyprus and the US, regarding the use of travel information. He said that the agreement is one of the conditions for the inclusion of the Republic of Cyprus in the US visa waiver program.

On a practical level, he said, travellers to the US for a period of up to 90 days will have to fill out an online application, and that, in a short time, and at minimal cost, they will receive an answer, after their information is passed through the system.

He also noted that currently, those who want to travel to the US have to go through a difficult procedure.

If everything goes well and the bill is passed on time, the Minister said, possibly by the end of the year, or certainly within 2025, “we will now be able to talk about” visa liberalisation.

Hartsiotis also referred to a “massive benefit” regarding further shielding the State against all types of risks, such as organised crime, drugs, terrorism, etc. He also said that the Republic of Cyprus would have at its disposal “perhaps one of the most perfect” information exchange systems.

Chairman of the Committee, Harris Georgiades, said that the bill is to be tabled to the plenary this week.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

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Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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