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President Christodoulides and Chevron reaffirm support for the ‘Aphrodite’ project

The President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and the Vice President of Chevron, the managing company of the field, Frank Cassulo, have reaffirmed their support for the development of the “Aphrodite” liquified natural gas field in Cyprus’ EEZ.

According to an announcement by the Presidency, in his statement, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that, during his time in New York, President Christodoulides met with a delegation of the US giant, led by the Vice President of the company.

“The President of the Republic and the Vice President of the company reaffirmed their support for the ‘Aphrodite’ project, a project of strategic importance both for the energy planning of Cyprus, the wider region, but also for the company itself,” Letymbiotis said in his statement.

He also noted that “in the next period, with the road map that has been drawn up through a specific taking of actions and steps, the relevant Ministry of Energy and the Chevron company will proceed to be in close coordination and close cooperation for this strategically important project.”

The meeting with President Christodoulides took place after the joint statement of the Ministry of Energy and the US company, following their meetings in Nicosia, to hold discussions over the next four months “in order to seek a consensual arrangement that ensures the development of the ‘Aphrodite’ field without further delays,” as the Minister of Energy George Papanastasiou had stated.

The consortium that holds the license to develop the field had announced that it had filed an amended development and production plan for ‘Aphrodite’, worth $4 billion, with the Ministry of Energy on 2 September.

Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

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.

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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