Cyprus Tourism Sector Sets Record in 2025, Fueling Economic Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 27, 2026

Record Contribution To GDP

Cyprus’ tourism sector increased its contribution to national GDP to 14% in 2025, up from 13.1% a year earlier, according to official figures. Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis said the industry continued to play a central role in supporting overall economic growth.

Surging Tourist Arrivals And Revenue

The annual report reveals that tourist arrivals surpassed 4.5 million for the first time, marking a 12.2% year-on-year increase and a 41.6% jump over three years. Simultaneously, revenues saw a sharp rise, climbing 15.3% year-on-year and 51.1% over the three-year span to reach an impressive €9.9 billion. Enhanced visitor spending was also evident with average per visitor expenditure increasing to €822 and daily spending up 7.2% to €99.5.

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Strength Amid Global Challenges

The average length of stay declined by about 4% to 8.27 days. Despite shorter visits, overall performance remained strong, supported by higher visitor numbers and spending. Projections indicate that overnight stays could reach 18.5 million, up 3.3% from 2024. Officials say tourism performance helped support estimated economic growth of 3.75% in 2025, above the eurozone average.

Strategic Investments And Future Outlook

Authorities launched 13 incentive schemes in 2025, including four supported through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, mobilizing close to €20 million in investment. Funding focused on upgrading accommodation facilities, restaurants, and traditional retail businesses, while also supporting projects in rural and coastal areas. Additional initiatives targeted health and wellness tourism, diving certification, and digital transition projects aimed at improving competitiveness.

Preparing For A Strategic 2026

Looking ahead, Cyprus expects tourism-related activity to increase further during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. Officials estimate that more than 30,000 conference participants will visit the country as part of approximately 250 scheduled events. New legislative proposals related to diving tourism and hospitality operations are also under preparation, alongside cooperation agreements with Israel and Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening long-term tourism partnerships.

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Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 1, 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

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Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.

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