Cyprus Secures Robust Tourism Growth Driven by Key International Markets

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 19, 2026

Strong December Performance Sets the Stage

Cyprus has recorded a significant surge in tourist arrivals in December 2025, as evidenced by the latest data from the Cyprus Statistical Service. The island welcomed 156,959 visitors in December 2025, marking an 18.0% increase compared to the same period last year. This performance underscores a robust finish to the year and highlights the resilience of the tourism sector.

Key Markets Fueling Growth

Analysis of the December data reveals that visitors from Israel and the United Kingdom were the primary drivers of growth. Israel emerged as the largest source market, accounting for 19.1% of arrivals with 30,020 visitors. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom contributed 19.0% with 29,826 arrivals, despite a modest decline of 5.3% compared to December 2024.

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Other notable market contributions include Poland, which recorded a 42.5% annual increase to reach 17,779 arrivals (11.3% share), and Germany, where arrivals rose by 53.5% to 11,569. Additionally, Greece attracted 11,413 visitors, representing 7.3% of the total despite a 4.6% drop year on year. France and Romania also posted notable gains, with increases of 55.6% and 61.6%, respectively. Hungary and Austria led the growth among smaller markets, with increases of 81.8% and 37.8%, respectively, while declines were observed among visitors from Norway and Denmark.

Diverse Visitor Profiles and Broader Travel Trends

Beyond the raw numbers, the data reveals evolving travel behaviors. In December 2025, 56.4% of tourists visited Cyprus for holidays, a rise from 49.6% a year earlier. Visits to friends and relatives decreased to 32.0% from 37.5%, and business travel accounted for 11.3% of visits, down from 12.7%. The analysis also noted a substantial 29.6% year-over-year increase in arrivals from Israel, reinforcing its status as a critical market during the winter tourism season.

Outbound Travel on the Rise

Cypriot residents also increased their international travel, with 193,007 returning from abroad in December 2025 compared to 168,022 in the previous year – a 14.9% rise. The majority of returning travelers headed to Greece, which accounted for 28.4% of all returns. The United Kingdom and Poland were the next most popular destinations. Notably, 69.3% of these trips were taken for holidays, while studies and business ventures made up 15.0% and 14.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

The comprehensive data, derived from rigorous passenger surveys at Larnaca and Paphos airports and supplemented by port data, paints a robust picture of Cyprus’s tourism sector. With diverse source markets and evolving visitor profiles, Cyprus is well-positioned to leverage its popularity and further strengthen its position as a leading winter destination in the Mediterranean.

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Cyprus Tourism Recovers After Difficult Start To 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 26, 2026

Cyprus’ tourism sector is recovering after a sharp decline in arrivals earlier this year, but Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis has warned that the industry remains vulnerable to external shocks. Presenting the department’s €59.4 million budget for 2027, he stressed that continued growth cannot be taken for granted.

Arrivals Recover After A Sharp Early-Year Decline

Tourist arrivals fell by 5.6% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, Koumis said. This marks a significant improvement from the 17.9% decline recorded during the first four months, although the recovery remains incomplete.

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Despite the setback, arrivals between January and September were 4.1% higher than in 2024 and 8.5% above 2023 levels. Koumis said the figures indicated that the sector had entered a recovery phase, but added that more work was needed to restore demand in certain markets.

An Unprecedented Shock For The Industry

Koumis described 2026 as one of the most difficult years for Cyprus’ tourism sector in decades. External developments triggered widespread cancellations and a sharp slowdown in bookings during March and April, with tens of thousands of reservations cancelled and new bookings largely stalling.

“2026 will undoubtedly remain in the history and memory of those working in the sector as a year during which our country’s tourism industry was called upon to face an unprecedented crisis as a result of external factors,” he told lawmakers.

Budget Focuses On Promotion And Development

Around 62% of the proposed 2027 budget will go towards promoting Cyprus and strengthening its tourism offering. Funding will support marketing campaigns, participation in international tourism fairs and incentive schemes designed to stimulate demand and improve the island’s competitiveness in key markets.

Tourism Revenue Remains Below 2025 Levels

Tourism receipts fell by 7% in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service. However, revenue remained 9.2% above 2024 levels and 13.8% higher than in 2023.

Koumis said the final outcome would depend on performance during the remaining months. If receipts follow a trajectory similar to 2025, he expects the full-year decline to be limited to between 3% and 4%, which he described as “a very satisfactory performance” under the circumstances.

Recovery Does Not Guarantee Future Growth

September recorded what Koumis described as the strongest September on record for tourist arrivals in Cyprus. However, he cautioned against complacency, noting that the disruption earlier in the year demonstrated how quickly external events can affect the sector.

“Success in tourism can never be taken for granted,” he said.

The government aims to ensure that tourism continues to benefit Cyprus’ economy, businesses and local communities in 2027. The proposed budget places particular emphasis on promotion and product development, reflecting a strategy focused on consolidating the recovery while preparing the sector for further uncertainty.

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