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Cyprus Tourism Revenue Rises 39.9% in April 2025 Amid Global Gains

Cyprus has reported a substantial surge in tourism revenue during April 2025, registering €304.2 million and marking a robust 39.9% increase from April 2024’s figures. The latest figures, derived from the state statistical service’s passengers survey, signal a significant rebound and continued growth in the island nation’s tourism sector.

Strong Monthly Performance

The marked improvement in April’s revenue not only underscores strategic market positioning but also reinforces Cyprus’s appeal as a premier destination. With the previous month’s revenue at €217.4 million, the leap to €304.2 million illustrates how targeted initiatives and favorable market conditions are positively influencing tourist spending.

Year-to-Date Growth Momentum

The impressive performance extends beyond a single month. From January through April 2025, tourism revenue reached an estimated €582.5 million, an increase of 32.2% compared to the €440.7 million recorded during the same period last year. Additionally, the average expenditure per person saw an uptick, rising from €651.69 to €726.42, reflecting increased consumer confidence and willingness to invest in quality travel experiences.

Diverse International Market Dynamics

Tourists from diverse international markets are fueling this growth. While the United Kingdom remains the largest market, accounting for 36.3% of total arrivals and showcasing daily spending of €89.33, significant contributions also emerged from Israel and Germany, with the former delivering a 15.2% share and daily expenditures of €140.08, and the latter a 7.1% share with €103.23 per day. Further enhancing the revenue mix, high-spending visits were recorded from Lebanon, Switzerland, and the United States, each contributing uniquely to the overall financial uplift.

Visitor Demographics and Spending Trends

The surge in tourist numbers is equally remarkable. April 2025 saw a total of 418,730 arrivals compared to 333,563 in April 2024. The trend was further bolstered by a slight increase in the average length of stay, rising to 7.7 days from 7.4 days. Detailed analyses indicate that European markets such as Austria, Belgium, France, and others, while varying in spending habits, collectively underscore strong engagement with tourist offerings. Notably, Swiss visitors led with the highest per person expenditure of €1,098.41, while American tourists exhibited a longer average stay that translated into elevated overall spend.

Overall, these figures highlight Cyprus’s strategic positioning and its ability to attract a diverse tourist base, contributing to a robust recovery and future growth in the travel and tourism sector. The sustained rise in revenue and visitor engagement reinforces the island’s status as a lucrative and appealing destination on the global stage.

EU E-Commerce VAT Systems Generate €257.9 Million Revenue for Cyprus in 2024

Robust Revenue Growth Through Streamlined VAT Collection

Cyprus has demonstrated a significant fiscal boost in 2024 with €257.9 million generated from the European Union’s e-commerce VAT systems, according to Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides. This impressive performance underscores the effectiveness of the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) frameworks in simplifying cross-border tax compliance.

Simplified Procedures for EU and Non-EU Businesses

The OSS system allows Cyprus-registered businesses to streamline VAT declaration and payment on sales to consumers in other EU countries. Companies simply register on the local OSS platform, apply the consumer’s VAT rate, aggregate their submissions quarterly or monthly, and remit a single consolidated payment. Subsequently, Cyprus allocates the appropriate share to each respective EU country. This efficient process extends to non-EU sellers as well, who can have their intra-EU distance sales managed under the Union Scheme.

Breakdown of VAT Revenue Streams

Last year’s declarations under the various schemes illustrate the system’s broad reach: €217.9 million was collected via the Union Scheme, €36.9 million through the Non-Union Scheme, and €3.1 million via the Import Scheme. While the Union Scheme caters to both EU and non-EU sellers engaging in distance sales, the Non-Union Scheme specifically accommodates non-EU firms delivering services to EU consumers. Furthermore, the Import Scheme targets goods valued at less than €150 that are imported from outside the EU.

Implications and Broader Impact

Implemented in July 2021 as an evolution from the more limited MOSS system, these reforms have not only consolidated tax collection through an expansive OSS but also integrated the IOSS for low-value imports. By designating certain online marketplaces as “deemed suppliers,” the new framework ensures that VAT collection is both efficient and equitable. Across the EU, these mechanisms have generated over €33 billion in VAT revenues in 2024, reflecting a successful effort to simplify tax compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and promote fair taxation across the bloc.

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