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Cyprus Sees a Surge In Tourism Revenue: February’s Significant Gains And What It Means

In February 2025, Cyprus reported a notable €79.7 million in tourism revenue, reflecting a remarkable 22.4% increase from the same period last year when earnings stood at €65.1 million, according to the latest release by the statistical service.

Year-to-Date Performance

Taking a broader view, the combined revenue for the first two months of 2025 reached €148.9 million, soaring by 35% compared to €110.3 million during the same months in 2024.

Spending Patterns of Tourists

The per capita expenditure for February rose by 14.3%, amounting to €595.71 compared to €521.01 in February 2024. Among the tourists, British visitors, accounting for 24.8% of the arrivals, spent an average of €73.42 per day. Polish tourists made up 15.1% of the total arrivals and spent €71.07 daily. Intriguingly, visitors from Israel had the highest daily spending at €203.06.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Harris Papacharalambous, President of Cyprus Travel and Tourism Agents Association, anticipates that a total of 4.25 million tourists will visit Cyprus by the end of the year. The vision for 2026 is to enhance the island’s tourism offerings with innovative changes, turning it into a regional hub for tourism activities, thanks to Cyprus’ strategic geographical position.

For further exploration of Cyprus’s rapid growth and economic potential, read about Cyprus’s fastest-growing tech companies and their global impact.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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