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Cyprus Maps Out AI-Driven Future For Tourism

by News Editor

August 13, 2026

Cyprus is looking to make artificial intelligence a key part of its tourism strategy as the government explores ways to improve services, enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the island’s competitiveness.

Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis and Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology Demetris Skourides discussed the plans on Thursday, with the meeting focusing on how AI can support the digital transformation of Cyprus as a tourism destination.

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Smart Tourism Strategy Takes Shape

Skourides’ team presented “Smart Tourism 2032: the Cyprus Artificial Intelligence Strategy” as part of the ongoing public consultation on the country’s national AI strategy.

The consultation is due to close on August 31, 2026. The tourism initiative forms part of the wider effort to determine how AI should be developed and applied across the economy.

Under the proposed strategy, Cyprus would become a “Living Lab” combining advanced technology with its traditional hospitality. The approach is built around three areas: smart tourism infrastructure, smart destination planning and management, and an empowered digital tourist.

Small and medium-sized tourism businesses are also expected to play an important role in adopting new technologies across the sector.

AI To Reshape The Visitor Experience

According to Koumis, AI is already changing tourism, from how visitors research destinations and plan trips to how destinations promote themselves.

“AI has entered the tourism sector dynamically and has already brought visible changes to a series of tourism-related functions, such as information gathering, trip planning and destination promotion,” he said.

The government wants to work with Skourides’ team to use the technology both to improve Cyprus’ competitiveness and enhance the experience offered to visitors.

Koumis said the development of tourism services was increasingly connected to the new capabilities created by AI, adding that Cyprus should make the most of these opportunities.

Tourism Businesses Included In AI Plans

Beyond improving individual services, the strategy aims to give tourism businesses a role in shaping the country’s broader AI framework.

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism wants the sector to participate in the consultation and take advantage of support created through technological development and the expansion of AI.

Ultimately, “Smart Tourism 2032” seeks to combine digital innovation with Cyprus’ established tourism strengths, particularly its reputation for hospitality, while preparing the sector for a more technology-driven visitor journey.

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Europe’s Busiest Ports Show The Scale Of Maritime Trade

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 7, 2026

Maritime transport carried roughly 13 billion tonnes of goods worldwide in 2024, highlighting its central role in global trade and supply chains. EU ports handled about 3.4 billion tonnes, or 26% of the global total, while nearly 90% of the bloc’s external freight trade is carried by sea.

Rotterdam And Antwerp-Bruges Lead The EU

Rotterdam was the EU’s busiest port in 2024, handling 397.3 million tonnes of goods. Antwerp-Bruges ranked second with 243.7 million tonnes, putting the two northern European hubs well ahead of the rest.

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Hamburg ranked third at 97 million tonnes, followed by Spain’s Algeciras at 81.5 million tonnes and Amsterdam at 78.8 million tonnes. France’s HAROPA port complex, covering Le Havre and Rouen, handled 76.6 million tonnes, while Gdansk recorded 71 million tonnes.

Marseille and Valencia followed with 66 million and 64.5 million tonnes, respectively. Romania’s Constanta completed the top 10 at 57.6 million tonnes, reflecting the Black Sea’s role in Europe’s wider trade network.

Europe’s Second Tier Of Major Ports

Several ports handled between 40 million and 56 million tonnes in 2024. Barcelona recorded 55.5 million tonnes, followed by Trieste at 53.5 million, Genoa at 47.4 million and Sines at 44.1 million.

Piraeus handled 43.7 million tonnes, while Germany’s Bremerhaven recorded 42.5 million. Sweden’s Göteborg handled 38.5 million tonnes and Dunkerque in France 36.8 million.

Netherlands Leads By National Port Volume

Looking at total cargo across each country’s ports, the Netherlands ranked first with 538.1 million tonnes in 2024. Italy followed with 488.6 million tonnes and Spain with 486 million tonnes, putting all three well ahead of the rest of the EU.

Belgium ranked fourth at 274.9 million tonnes, followed by Germany at 273.9 million and France at 269.8 million. Greece, Sweden and Poland each handled more than 100 million tonnes, showing the breadth of Europe’s maritime network.

Turkey Expands The Regional Picture

Including EU candidate countries and EFTA members puts Turkey in second place with 524.7 million tonnes, behind the Netherlands. Norway ranked eighth with 212.1 million tonnes and handled 212.1 million tonnes.

The European Commission has described maritime transport as a long-standing driver of European economic development. Its role now extends beyond moving cargo, with ports increasingly tied to supply chains, energy security and industrial policy.

In March 2026, the Commission adopted two strategies focused on competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience across the EU’s waterborne sector, including ports, shipping and shipbuilding.