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Cyprus Secures Second Place In European Air Connectivity Rankings As Tourism Soars

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 1, 2025

European Air Connectivity On The Rise

Cyprus has emerged as a formidable player in regional aviation, ranking second in Europe for improving air connectivity between 2019 and 2025, according to a detailed report by the Aviation Council International. Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis emphasized this achievement during a high-profile event marking World Tourism Day at Larnaca Medieval Castle. This recognition underscores the nation’s robust efforts to enhance its transportation infrastructure, a critical factor in sustaining and expanding its visitor base.

Strong Performance In Arrivals And Revenues

As the year draws to a close, industry leaders anticipate a record-setting performance in both tourist arrivals and revenues. Special segments of tourism are contributing promising figures, with off-peak seasons registering significant growth. This trend is seen as pivotal for extending the tourist season and establishing Cyprus as a year-round destination—a goal that has been central to the nation’s tourism strategy under the administration of Nikos Christodoulides.

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Integrating Sustainability With Tourism Transformation

At the event, Koumis spotlighted the World Tourism Organization’s theme, “Tourism And Sustainable Transformation,” reinforcing the imperative for a unified shift towards sustainability. With the Mediterranean experiencing climate change 20 percent faster than many other regions, the urgency for sustainable practices is indisputable. The deputy minister noted that Cyprus, like its regional counterparts, must embrace technologies and practices that not only safeguard the environment but also drive economic efficiency.

A Shared Vision For Year-Round Tourism

The path to sustained success in tourism is built on collaboration among all stakeholders within the ecosystem. Koumis outlined a multi-pronged strategy that includes enhancing destination infrastructure, advancing hospitality facilities in rural and mountainous regions, and investing significantly in knowledge through comprehensive training programmes. The Deputy Ministry is working in close concert with the private and public sectors, emphasizing that an enriched tourism offering—extended beyond conventional services—is essential for long-term viability.

Embracing The Future With Strategic Initiatives

Looking ahead, the ministry is spearheading initiatives to ensure that the tourism sector remains competitive and resilient. Upcoming seminars co-organized with the Deputy Ministry of Research and Innovation are set to explore the roles of sustainability and technological advancements, including the influence of artificial intelligence on the industry. Additionally, a collaborative project with the Cyprus University of Technology aims to document the rich history of Cypriot tourism, linking past successes to future innovation.

Transitioning To A Sustainable Tomorrow

Deputy Minister Koumis concluded with a call for a comprehensive transformation that embraces sustainability as the guiding principle for future tourism. This strategy, anchored in environmental stewardship, technological progress, and robust stakeholder collaboration, is essential for navigating the challenges posed by climate change and evolving market dynamics. The shared vision is clear: by uniting efforts across all facets of the tourism sector, Cyprus is poised to lead the way toward a sustainable and integrated future in tourism.

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Mercedes-Benz Posts Higher Profit Despite China Slowdown

Mercedes-Benz reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, lifting its shares on Tuesday despite mounting pressure from Chinese automakers and a weaker outlook for sales and revenue.

The earnings provided a boost for Europe’s auto sector, where manufacturers continue to grapple with tariffs, softer demand and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all accelerated restructuring efforts in response.

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Cost Discipline Lifts Quarterly Profit

Mercedes-Benz shares rose as much as 5.9% following the results before trimming gains to trade 3.5% higher by 1118 GMT. The company reaffirmed its profit margin guidance for its core passenger car business after reporting an adjusted return on sales of 4.0% for the second quarter, above market expectations and within its 3% to 5% target range.

“In an environment where some automakers are ringing alarm bells on their competitive positioning, Mercedes delivered a clear and confident message,” Morningstar analyst Rella Suskin said.

Second-quarter operating profit increased 22% to €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion), despite a 3% decline in revenue. Lower administrative and research and development costs, together with strong performances from the financial services and vans divisions, supported earnings, while the results also included a €131 million gain related to the planned sale of leasing subsidiary Athlon.

China Remains The Key Pressure Point

Despite stronger profitability, Mercedes continues to face a challenging market environment. Sales in China fell 30% during the second quarter, prompting the company to abandon earlier expectations for stable car sales and group revenue. It now expects both to decline slightly from a year earlier.

BMW also lowered its outlook in June following a deeper-than-expected slowdown in China, highlighting the pressure facing Germany’s premium carmakers. At the same time, Mercedes said Chinese manufacturers are increasingly expanding into European markets, although Chief Executive Ola Kaellenius said their focus remains on higher-volume segments rather than the premium market.

“But that is not a reason to sit back and be relaxed,” he said.

Manufacturing Shift Continues

Mercedes is also reshaping its manufacturing footprint. The company said its German factories will undergo a more aggressive push toward leaner production, although it declined to provide further details while talks with labour representatives continue. Production is also being expanded in lower-cost Eastern European locations, including Hungary, where the company is increasing capacity at its Kecskemet plant, as well as in Poland.

Chief Financial Officer Harald Wilhelm said the full-year margin for the passenger car division is expected to come in at the lower end of the company’s guidance range, reflecting a higher share of electric vehicle sales in Europe, which remain more expensive to produce and continue to weigh on profitability.

“We must continue to work flat out to reduce costs so that we can remain competitive on the prices of our products,” Kaellenius said.