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Cyprus And Saudi Arabia Forge Strategic Partnership In Tourism

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 13, 2025

Cyprus and Saudi Arabia have ushered in a new era of tourism collaboration, as recent developments at the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh underline a forward-looking agenda for the global industry. The event concluded with the adoption of the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, a transformative blueprint designed to guide global cooperation over the next 50 years.

Strengthening Bilateral Commitments

During a high-level official visit, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis of Cyprus co-signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb (Saudi Ministry of Tourism). The agreement is set to deepen cooperation in critical areas such as sustainable practices, technology deployment, tourism education, and knowledge exchange, thereby reinforcing the strategic alignment between the two nations at a pivotal moment in the industry.

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A Global Roadmap For Innovation And Sustainability

The assembly also witnessed a historic appointment with Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais being named the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism, making her the first woman and the first representative from the Gulf Cooperation Council (UNWTO) to head the organization starting in 2026. The Riyadh Declaration outlines a shared vision emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, digital transformation, and AI-powered innovation, with a strong focus on empowering local communities and preserving cultural and natural heritage.

Economic Impact And Future Prospects

Saudi Tourism Minister Al Khateeb commented, “From Riyadh, we move from declarations to delivery,” signaling a robust commitment to translating strategic agreements into practical initiatives. These include mobilizing investment, enhancing workforce skill sets, and driving digital transformation within small and medium enterprises. Cyprus’s Deputy Minister Koumis highlighted the mutual benefits of these developments, noting Saudi Arabia’s emerging market potential—already accounting for around 20 percent of outbound overnight stays from the Middle East—and the compelling prospects for Cyprus tourism (Visit Cyprus).

Strategic Engagement And Collaborative Platforms

In addition to the bilateral MoU, Deputy Minister Koumis engaged with key Saudi officials, including Deputy Minister of Investment Yousef Almubarak, strengthening dialogues that promise to further enhance international cooperation. The proceedings also coincided with the launch of TOURISE, a global platform aimed at reinforcing synergy between public and private sectors on issues such as digital innovation, investment, and sustainable workforce development.

This strategic convergence of policy and investment not only cements a robust partnership between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia but also charts a resilient and innovative path for the future of global tourism.

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Bird Aviation Signs Long-Term EasyJet Maintenance Deal In Cyprus

Bird Aviation has signed a long-term agreement with easyJet to provide scheduled aircraft maintenance services at its Larnaca facilities, expanding the companies’ existing partnership and securing maintenance work in Cyprus for at least seven years.

Seven-Year Maintenance Agreement

The agreement runs for an initial seven years, with an option to extend for a further three years, Bird Aviation said.

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Under the contract, the company will operate two maintenance lines dedicated to scheduled heavy maintenance checks for easyJet’s Airbus A320 family aircraft. All work will be carried out at Bird Aviation’s facilities in Larnaca.

Expanding An Existing Partnership

Bird Aviation said the agreement builds on its long-standing relationship with easyJet and provides a long-term framework for heavy maintenance services. The company added that the contract strengthens the role of its Larnaca base in supporting easyJet’s fleet maintenance programme.

EasyJet Reports Lower Profit

The agreement comes as easyJet faces a more challenging operating environment. The airline recently reported that pre-tax profit fell 70% to £85 million in the April-to-June quarter, compared with £286 million a year earlier, largely because of a £105 million increase in fuel costs following renewed conflict in the Middle East.

The airline also said customers are booking flights closer to departure, affecting the timing of revenue. However, booking trends have improved during the peak summer season, although easyJet said the outlook remains dependent on late-season demand and fuel prices.

Takeover Bid And Industry Challenges

EasyJet is also the subject of competing takeover bids from two U.S. investment firms. The board initially accepted a £5.5 billion offer from Castlelake before recommending Apollo Global Management’s higher £5.7 billion proposal. Any transaction could face scrutiny under European Union airline ownership rules.

Meanwhile, Ryanair also reported weaker earnings, with quarterly profit falling 34% to €538 million after higher jet fuel costs during the Iran conflict. Despite the higher costs, both airlines said demand strengthened during the summer travel season.

“Pricing has been attractive, driving strong late booking demand for our flights and holidays,” easyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis said.

“Our recent experience is that bookings become strong in the month of departure,” he said. “So I expect that as we move through August, bookings will be above where they were at this time last year.”