Cyprus Hotel Licensing Crisis: What It Means For The Upcoming Tourist Season

by News Editor

March 11, 2025

As Cyprus gears up for its vibrant tourist season, a significant concern looms over the horizon. Out of 741 tourist accommodations readying their reopening, merely 100 have secured the necessary licenses. This figure represents just 13.5% of the total, a shortfall that is widely observed across all regions.

District Breakdown Of Licensed Hotels

According to recent data from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the disparity is consistent across districts: Famagusta licenses just 13 out of 253 hotels, Paphos 20 out of 184, Limassol 26 out of 114, Larnaca 22 out of 112, and Nicosia 19 out of 78.

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Efforts To Tackle The Licensing Gap

There is an ongoing legislative proposal to alleviate the pressing issue of unlicensed hotels. Disy MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, chair of the Tourism Committee, is at the forefront of this initiative, which aims to ease regulations with temporary operating permits. Such measures are crucial to maintain compliance, ensure safety standards, and bolster Cyprus’s standing in global tourism.

Moreover, embracing these challenges head-on not only supports local businesses but also aligns with broader economic goals. For example, recent economic forecasts like those by JPMorgan’s revision of the Euro area’s growth forecast further highlight the interconnectedness of regional stability and business prosperity.

As the season fast approaches, the industry’s ability to adapt and respond effectively will define the tourist experiences this year, securing Cyprus’s reputation as a must-visit destination.

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ECB Raises Deposit Facility Rate For First Time In Nearly Two Years

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 15, 2026

Economic Shift: ECB Reverses Years Of Declining Rates

The European Central Bank (ECB) confirmed its first interest rate increase in nearly two years, raising the deposit facility rate in response to inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. Marking a shift in monetary policy, the move follows a period of rate cuts aimed at supporting economic activity and easing financing conditions.

Reevaluation Of Bank Liquidity Strategies

Although the immediate impact will be felt by only part of the borrowing market, the decision carries broader implications for banks. During the period of lower rates, banks maintained significant amounts of excess liquidity with the ECB as returns on these funds declined alongside deposit rates. With the deposit facility rate increasing by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25% from 2.00%, returns on surplus liquidity are expected to improve.

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Higher interest rates, however, could also increase borrowing costs and influence lending conditions across the banking sector.

Transitioning Investment Approaches And Market Dynamics

Banks had already begun diversifying the use of excess liquidity through investments in bonds and by expanding lending activities.

Successive reductions in the deposit facility rate from 3.00% at the end of 2024 through four consecutive cuts in early 2025 reflected a more accommodative policy stance as inflation pressures moderated.

Sectoral Impact And Future Outlook

Data from the ECB’s 2025 monetary policy report show that liquidity in the Cypriot banking system declined from €19.2 billion at the end of 2024 to €18.6 billion by the close of 2025. Despite the reduction, liquidity levels remained elevated. Outstanding loans increased from €27.6 billion to €31.7 billion, while deposits recorded a slight decline. Customer deposits continued to account for the vast majority of funding. By the fourth quarter of 2025, they represented 95% of total liabilities, highlighting their importance as the banking sector’s primary source of financing.

Changes in ECB rates are expected to influence how banks manage liquidity and allocate capital as monetary conditions evolve.

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