Cyprus Sees Significant Surge In Online Tourist Bookings

In the first quarter of 2024, Cyprus experienced a remarkable 23.8% increase in tourist bookings via online platforms compared to the same period in 2023. This growth, reported by Eurostat, highlights the island’s rising appeal and aligns with broader trends in digital travel arrangements across Europe.

Detailed Breakdown

The surge in online bookings is evident month by month:

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January 2024: 200,208 nights, marking a 20.8% year-over-year (YoY) increase.
February 2024: 233,844 nights, a 21.4% YoY increase.
March 2024: 326,351 nights, the most significant increase at 28.4% YoY.

Comparison with EU Trends

While Cyprus saw a substantial rise, the overall EU average for online bookings grew by 28.3% in the same period. Regions such as Andalucía in Spain, Adriatic Croatia, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in France led the EU, reflecting a broader increase in tourism and short-term rentals.

Implications for Cyprus’ Tourism Sector

This increase in online bookings underscores a shift towards digital platforms for travel arrangements, signalling a robust recovery and growth in Cyprus’ tourism sector post-pandemic. The hospitality and service sectors are poised to benefit significantly from this trend, bolstering the local economy. Enhanced digital engagement by hotels and rental properties has likely contributed to this uptick, making travel planning more accessible and convenient for tourists.

Future Outlook

Given the current trajectory, Cyprus is expected to continue leveraging digital platforms to attract tourists. This strategy aligns with global travel trends and positions the island as a competitive destination in the Mediterranean. Efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and marketing could further amplify this growth, ensuring sustained economic benefits for the region.

Strategic Considerations

The data suggests that Cyprus must continue to innovate in its digital offerings to maintain and accelerate this growth. Investing in user-friendly online booking systems, ensuring high-quality customer experiences, and leveraging social media for targeted marketing could enhance Cyprus’s attractiveness. Furthermore, analysing booking patterns can provide insights into peak periods and popular preferences, enabling better resource management and service provision.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

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Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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