Cyprus is set to redefine its tourism landscape, building on a stellar summer record while preparing an ambitious expansion of its winter offerings. Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis outlined a strategy aimed at capturing a larger share of the winter market during discussions at the 45th annual World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 in London, an event renowned for convening over 40,000 industry professionals from more than 180 countries.
Capitalizing On Summer Strength And Winter Opportunities
Koumis confidently noted that the island’s summer performance has reached unprecedented heights, forecasting its continuation into 2026. He emphasized that while the summer season has peaked, the pressing challenge now is to boost the winter tourism segment. The deputy minister cited a 5.2% increase in tourist arrivals from the British market between January and September 2025 compared to the previous year as a testament to Cyprus’ growing appeal.
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Strategic Alliances And Expanded Winter Programs
Conversations with strategic tourism partners at the WTM revealed an optimistic outlook for winter programmes. Major British tour operators are expected to enhance their winter offerings significantly, a move that could transform Cyprus into a year-round destination. Koumis stressed that expanding winter initiatives is essential for maintaining revenue momentum, even as summer operations reach saturation.
Shifting Investment Models And Infrastructure Innovation
WTM 2025 featured over 70 sessions and panel discussions, during which industry leaders discussed topics ranging from artificial intelligence to sustainable infrastructures. Koumis contributed to several panels including one on rethinking investment models in tourism, while also engaging in bilateral discussions with officials such as Serbian Tourism Minister Husein Memic on future cooperation.
Robust Data And Future Growth Prospects
The latest statistics fortify Cyprus’ growth narrative: between January and September 2025, tourist arrivals surged by 10.3% year-on-year to 3.6 million, with tourism revenue climbing to €1.89 billion in the first seven months. Additionally, Cyprus recorded the highest increase in hotel overnight stays in Europe, and the revenue percentage among European Mediterranean destinations remains unmatched.
Building A Sustainable Year-Round Model
Industry experts, including Christos Angelides, Director General of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association, underscored the importance of an integrated ecosystem where hotels, local businesses, and communities collaborate to extend tourism beyond the summer months. Plans are already underway for several hotels in Ayia Napa, Protaras, and the Famagusta district to extend operations into November 2025, ensuring a prolonged engagement with visitors.
Diversification And Future Vision
Further bolstering its strategy, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is diversifying the island’s tourism product by promoting sports, wellness, gastronomy, and conference tourism. These efforts aim to reduce the historical dependency on the sun-and-sea model, positioning Cyprus as a destination that offers authentic and sustainable experiences all year round.
As Cyprus prepares to extend its tourism window, the focus on winter growth and sustainable practices marks a pivotal shift in the island’s economic strategy, promising robust returns and enduring success in the competitive global landscape.
