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Cyprus Charts A Promising Future In Tourism With Extended Winter Season

Cyprus is positioning itself for a remarkable tourism rebound as Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis expressed strong optimism for the upcoming season at the prestigious London World Travel Market. The event, held at the Excel Centre and recognized as one of the premier showcases in the global tourism industry, set the stage for discussions aimed at expanding Cyprus’s appeal into the winter months.

Confidence On The Global Stage

At an event that attracts over 5,000 exhibitors from 180 countries and approximately 45,000 tourism professionals worldwide, Cyprus has once again demonstrated its dynamic presence. The Ministry of Tourism has used this platform to communicate a clear strategic focus: to extend the tourism period well into winter, ensuring sustained visitor growth and economic vitality.

Strategic Dialogues And Promising Outcomes

Throughout a series of high-caliber meetings with tour operators and leading airlines, Minister Koumis reported exceptionally positive feedback. These sessions underscored both the success of the previous summer—with record numbers in hotel stays and revenue—and the ambitious plans for further expansion. Koumis stressed that every discussion confirmed the country’s readiness to build on its achievements and consistently drive visitor growth.

Market Leadership And Economic Impact

Cyprus currently stands as the European Mediterranean nation with the highest year-on-year increase in hotel overnight stays, and its revenue growth rate outpaces that of its competitors. This market leadership not only reinforces the country’s attractive tourism product, but also signals robust economic prospects as efforts pivot toward maximizing winter season opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Deputy Minister Koumis emphasized the crucial objective of boosting winter visitor numbers. “The feedback we received is extremely encouraging, and we are committed to pursuing every possible avenue to enhance our tourism offerings,” he stated. With the momentum from a highly successful summer, Cyprus is strategically deploying resources to ensure that the next season eclipses previous benchmarks.

Cyprus Records EU’s Largest Quarterly Drop In Public Debt Ratio

Cyprus recorded the European Union’s largest quarterly decline in government debt as a share of GDP in the second quarter of 2026, as its debt burden continued to fall while borrowing levels across the bloc increased, according to Eurostat.

Debt Ratio Falls To 48.5%

Cyprus’ government debt fell to 48.5% of GDP at the end of June, down from 51.5% in the first quarter and 58.1% a year earlier.

In absolute terms, debt declined to €19.2 billion from €20.03 billion at the end of March and €21.7 billion in June 2025. Cyprus also recorded the EU’s second-largest annual reduction in its debt-to-GDP ratio, after Greece.

Cyprus Outpaces Other EU Member States

Greece recorded the largest annual decline, at 11.2 percentage points, followed by Cyprus at 9.5 points, Slovenia at 4.5 points and Portugal at 3.4 points.

Quarterly, Cyprus led the bloc, ahead of Greece, where the ratio fell by 2.7 percentage points, and Hungary, which recorded a 2-point decline.

By contrast, the EU’s debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 82.9% in the second quarter from 82.5% in the first. The euro area ratio rose to 88.8% from 88.4%. Compared with the same period in 2025, the figures increased from 81.4% and 87.3%, respectively.

Debt Levels Remain High Across Europe

Greece had the EU’s highest debt ratio at the end of June, at 140.8% of GDP, followed by Italy at 139.9%, France at 119.1%, Belgium at 110.2% and Spain at 101.4%.

The lowest ratios were recorded in Estonia at 26.1%, Denmark at 27.1%, Luxembourg at 28.2% and Bulgaria at 28.7%.

Compared with the first quarter, debt ratios rose in 15 member states and fell in 10, while the Netherlands and Spain remained unchanged. Poland recorded the largest quarterly increase, at 3 percentage points.

Cyprus Maintains A Government Surplus

Cyprus’ debt reduction comes alongside a strong fiscal position. In 2025, the country recorded a government surplus of 3.6% of GDP, the highest in the EU, according to audited figures published by Cystat and Eurostat. Government debt at the end of that year stood at €20.05 billion, or 52.3% of GDP.

However, Cyprus’ seasonally adjusted government surplus narrowed to 3.3% of GDP in the second quarter of 2026, from 3.8% in the first quarter.

The figures come from Eurostat’s latest government deficit and debt release, based on member states’ second 2026 notifications under the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure and compiled under the European System of Accounts 2010 methodology.

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