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Cyprus Reports 40–50% Booking Decline As Regional Tensions Rise

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 30, 2026

Cyprus remains positioned as a safe travel destination, Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis said. Comments come as bookings decline following regional tensions. Data show cancellations increased in recent months. The government is introducing measures to support the sector.

Maintaining A Reputation For Safety And Competitiveness

Koumis said Cyprus continues to be considered a safe destination. A statement was made during the World Chess Championship in Peyia. Authorities are seeking to maintain tourism demand despite external developments. Messaging focuses on safety and accessibility.

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Economic Resilience Under Pressure

Cancellations in March and April increased by 40–50%. Summer bookings show slower growth compared to earlier expectations. Tourism recorded strong results in 2025, with more than 4.5 million arrivals. The sector contributed about 14% to GDP, with revenues nearing €10 billion over three years.

Coordinated Government Response

The government introduced a subsidy covering 30% of hotel staff wages for April. Measures also include support for airlines to maintain connectivity. Discussions on additional incentives, including domestic tourism, are ongoing. Koumis said Cyprus is not affected by direct conflict.

Industry Caution Amid Uncertainty

Despite these assurances, industry stakeholders remain vigilant. Thanos Michaelides, president of the hotelier’s association Pasyxe, highlighted that the ongoing conflict in the wider region continues to cast a shadow over demand. He warned that while current visitor experiences have been positive, uncertainty persists, making reliable forecasting challenging. Michaelides also noted that it is premature to determine whether the government’s measures will fully mitigate the challenges facing the sector.

Outlook For The Future

Koumis remains optimistic, citing coordinated efforts between the government and private enterprises as a proven model that has helped the nation adapt to past disruptions. This collaborative approach, he stresses, will be essential to sustaining tourism growth through the coming months. With proactive strategies in place and a steadfast commitment to safety and quality, Cyprus is poised to maintain its stature as a resilient and attractive destination.

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Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.