Breaking news

Cyprus Services Sector Shows Robust Performance In 2025 As Tourism, Digital Innovation, And Shipping Surge

The Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV) reported growth across Cyprus’ services sector in 2025, with increases recorded in tourism, professional services and administrative activities. Data show continued expansion across multiple sub-sectors, reinforcing the role of services in economic output and employment.

Service Sector Leadership

Accommodation and food services grew by 9.5%, while administrative and support activities increased by 7.4%. Professional, scientific and technical activities rose by 4.6%, followed by information and communication at 4.3%. Transport and storage recorded growth of 2.8%, while real estate activity increased by 0.4%. These figures indicate broad-based expansion across service industries.

A Remarkable Tourism Surge

Tourist arrivals reached 4,534,073 in 2025, marking a 12.2% increase year-on-year. December arrivals totaled 156,959, up 18% compared with the same period a year earlier. Tourism continues to support revenue generation and seasonal demand across the economy. Growth in visitor numbers contributes to activity in hospitality and related sectors.

Driving Digital Transformation

OEV is supporting digital adoption through initiatives such as the DiGiNN Cyprus Digital Innovation Hub. The program focuses on improving business processes, skills development and technology integration. Additional efforts include the establishment of a Digital Transformation and Innovation Committee and international engagement through business missions. These actions support the adoption of digital tools across sectors.

Resilient Shipping Sector

Shipping accounted for about 7% of Cyprus’s GDP in 2025, remaining a key component of the economy. The Cyprus Registry recorded its highest tonnage in 20 years, with an increase of nearly 20%. Fleet growth strengthens Cyprus’ position within European Union shipping registries and global maritime markets. The sector continues to contribute to economic stability.

Strengthening The Economic Foundation

OEV is organizing conferences, workshops and exhibitions to support business development across sectors. These initiatives focus on improving operational practices and industry collaboration. Continued investment in services and digital infrastructure is expected to support economic performance.

Anthropic Introduces Pay-As-You-Go Pricing For Claude Code Third-Party Tools

Anthropic changed pricing for its Claude Code service, introducing pay-as-you-go charges for usage through third-party tools. The update took effect on April 4 and removes external tool usage from existing subscription limits.

Strategic Realignment Of Subscription Models

New pricing applies to third-party integrations such as OpenClaw, with plans to extend the policy across all external tools. Subscription plans will continue to cover direct usage but exclude activity routed through third-party software. The company said the change addresses usage patterns not accounted for in the original pricing structure. Adjustments aim to manage demand and maintain service performance.

Engineering Constraints And Community Impact

Boris Cherny, Head of Claude Code at Anthropic, said the decision reflects engineering constraints related to high-volume usage through external tools. He added that the existing subscription model was not designed for these workloads. Anthropic said refunds remain available for affected users. Continued support for open source development remains part of the company’s approach.

Competitive Dynamics And Industry Shifts

Peter Steinberger, creator of OpenClaw, said discussions with Anthropic delayed the rollout by about one week. He noted concerns about restrictions on third-party usage alongside feature development. Competition across AI development platforms is increasing, particularly around pricing models and developer access. Companies are adjusting their positioning as demand grows.

Broader Implications For The AI Market

Companies in the sector are adjusting pricing and product strategies as demand for AI tools increases. Focus is shifting toward enterprise use cases and infrastructure scalability. Future developments will depend on how providers balance pricing, performance and developer ecosystem support.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo
Aretilaw firm
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter