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Cyprus Kicks Off 2025 With A 27% Surge In Tourist Arrivals

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 18, 2025

Cyprus’ tourism sector is off to a strong start in 2025, with tourist arrivals surging by 27.4% in January compared to the same month last year. The growth signals the success of ongoing efforts to position the island as a year-round destination, particularly during the traditionally quieter winter months.

Key Numbers: A Strong Start To The Year

According to CySTAT, 112,100 tourists arrived in Cyprus in January 2025, up from 87,961 in January 2024. Israel led as the top source market, accounting for 21.1% (23,704 arrivals), followed by:

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United Kingdom – 16.7% (18,701 arrivals)
Poland – 14.1% (15,791 arrivals)
Greece – 10.1% (11,288 arrivals)

Shifting Travel Trends

While vacations remained the primary reason for visiting Cyprus, accounting for 56.4% of arrivals, the share of tourists traveling for business increased to 19.0%, up from 17.2% in January 2024. Meanwhile, 24.5% visited friends and family, slightly higher than the previous year.

Winter Tourism On The Rise

The steady increase in arrivals suggests that Cyprus’ strategy to boost winter tourism is gaining traction. With its mild climate, diverse cultural experiences, and targeted promotional campaigns, the island is attracting more visitors beyond the peak summer months—setting a strong precedent for the year ahead.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.