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Cyprus Sets Tourism Record in 2024, Looks Forward to Continued Growth

According to Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis, in 2024, Cyprus recorded its highest-ever tourism performance for the first nine months of the year. Speaking at the inauguration of the Cyprus Airways Flying Academy in Larnaca, Koumis highlighted impressive growth in arrivals and revenue, attributing this success to dedicated efforts by tourism stakeholders amid challenges like Eastern Mediterranean instability and European economic conditions.

Despite early-year obstacles, Cyprus’s tourism numbers remain robust, with the winter season anticipated to increase over last year’s figures, which rose by 7%. Koumis noted that tourism facilities are extending their operations through mid-November, an unusual move that reflects the sector’s resilience.

Looking forward, Koumis expects 2025 to bring even greater tourism growth. He cited extensive preparations for the upcoming summer season, as well as an expanding flight schedule that connects Cyprus to 39 countries through 55 airlines. While tensions in neighboring regions, particularly Israel, present uncertainties, Koumis is optimistic about the industry’s ability to adapt, emphasizing that Cyprus’s tourism sector is well-prepared to sustain its strong performance and deliver further growth in the coming years.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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