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Cyprus Sees Surge In Short-Term Rentals, Tourism Minister Says

The number of registered short-term rental properties in Cyprus has nearly doubled in under a year, rising from 4,765 in April 2023 to 8,248, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis announced.

Registration Boom And Regulatory Challenges

Speaking after a parliamentary committee meeting on 18 February, Koumis credited the surge to targeted awareness campaigns. With 1,275 applications pending approval and another 1,170 still incomplete, the number is expected to grow further.

However, the rapid expansion of short-term rentals is raising regulatory concerns. While the sector boosts the economy, it also competes with traditional hotels. The government is reviewing amendments to ensure balanced policies across different regions, from urban hubs like Nicosia to coastal tourist hotspots.

Record-Setting Tourism And Future Goals

Looking ahead, Koumis is optimistic about 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 in both arrivals and revenue. Cyprus has successfully rebounded from the loss of the Russian market, posting a 25% growth in tourism figures over two years.

The next challenge? Extending the tourism season beyond peak months to sustain momentum year-round.

Google Escalates Capital Outlay Amid Surge in Cloud Demand

Robust Investment Strategy To Power AI Innovation

Alphabet Inc. has significantly revised its capital spending forecast for 2025, allocating an additional $10 billion to accommodate the burgeoning demand for its Cloud services. This strategic move reflects the company’s proactive approach to expanding its infrastructure, particularly in light of the accelerated adoption of AI-powered solutions.

Expanding Infrastructure To Meet Unprecedented Demand

In its second quarter earnings report, Alphabet highlighted a sharp increase in cloud revenues—up 32% to $13.6 billion. This surge has precipitated a $106 billion service backlog, as noted by Finance Chief Anat Ashkenazi during the post-earnings call. The majority of the additional capital expenditure is earmarked for enhancing technical infrastructure, with investments focused on servers and data center networking equipment. The company’s renewed forecast now stands at approximately $85 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, up from the previously projected $75 billion.

Strategic Expansion Amid A Tight Supply Environment

Ashkenazi pointed out the challenges posed by a tight supply environment, emphasizing that the accelerated pace of server deployments and data center construction is essential to keeping pace with client demand. As Google continues to enhance capacity quarter-by-quarter, further increased capital spending is anticipated in 2026 to capitalize on emerging growth opportunities across the organization.

Implications For Future Profitability

While these significant investments will position Google at the forefront of AI and Cloud technology, they also imply a measurable increase in expenses, potentially affecting short-term profitability. Nevertheless, this forward-looking expansion underscores Alphabet’s commitment to sustaining its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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