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Cyprus And Serbia Sign Landmark Tourism Partnership Agreement

Historic Collaboration In Tourism

Cyprus and Serbia are preparing to strengthen tourism cooperation through a new Memorandum of Cooperation. The agreement comes as Cyprus is set to participate as the honoured country at Sajam Turizma 2026 in Belgrade, marking a first for the island at the event.

Strengthening Diplomatic And Economic Ties

Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis confirmed that the memorandum will be signed in Cyprus in the coming months in the presence of Serbian Tourism Minister Husein Memic. The initiative follows discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a recent meeting in Belgrade. The agreement is expected to support closer cooperation and expand tourism opportunities between the two countries.

Showcasing Innovation At Sajam Turizma 2026

Sajam Turizma is one of the key tourism exhibitions in the Balkans, attracting industry professionals and regional markets. Cyprus presented an updated tourism pavilion featuring digital video wall technology and visual elements highlighting the island’s culture, traditions and natural landscapes. The presentation focused on strengthening destination visibility and reinforcing Cyprus’ positioning in the Serbian market.

Strategic Economic Growth And Future Opportunities

Serbia continues to grow as a source market for Cyprus tourism. According to Koumis, arrivals from Serbia reached approximately 63,000 in 2025, representing a 57% increase compared to previous years. Discussions also covered sports tourism, including meetings with Serbian Sports Minister Zoran Gajic, as well as cooperation with Air Serbia and other industry stakeholders aimed at sustaining connectivity and market growth.

Looking Ahead

Both countries aim to build on existing momentum through closer institutional cooperation and targeted tourism initiatives. The planned memorandum is expected to support long-term collaboration and further strengthen tourism flows between Cyprus and Serbia.

Cyprus Introduces €200 Million Support Measures To Cut Energy And Food Costs

Comprehensive Relief Measures For A Resilient Economy

The government of Cyprus introduced support measures exceeding €200 million to reduce household expenses and support key sectors. The package targets energy costs, food prices, tourism and agriculture. Measures come in response to rising costs and supply pressures. Implementation begins in April and May 2026.

Energy And Fiscal Reforms

The government will reduce VAT on electricity for households to 5% from May 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The measure is expected to lower energy bills. Special consumption tax on transport fuels will decrease by 8.33 cents per liter between April and June 2026. Policy targets fuel-related costs.

Broadening The Zero VAT Initiative

Authorities will expand the list of products with zero VAT. Meat, poultry and fish will be included from April 1 to September 30, 2026. Existing zero-VAT categories already include fruits and vegetables. The government also decided not to introduce a green tax on fuels, avoiding an additional cost of about 9 cents per liter.

Sector-Specific Supports

The package includes a 30% wage subsidy for hotel employees for April 2026. Measure supports tourism businesses during the early season. Support for airlines aims to maintain connectivity with key destinations. The agriculture sector will receive subsidies covering 15% of costs for fertilizers and supplies in April and May.

Economic Stability, National Security

President Nikos Christodoulidis said economic stability remains a priority for the government. He noted that growth, fiscal balance and inflation trends support current policy decisions. Statement links economic policy with broader national priorities. The government continues to monitor external risks.

Ensuring Consumer Protection

Furthermore, the government has mandated rigorous market oversight and intensified inspections to prevent exploitative pricing during this period of economic intervention. This proactive stance ensures that the benefits of the measures directly serve the citizens without unintended inflationary impacts.

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