Breaking news

Cyprus Trails EU In Digital Reading Despite Growth

Digital Reading Trends in Europe

New data from Eurostat show that 7.87% of internet users in Cyprus purchased e-books or audiobooks in 2025. The figure remains below the EU average of 9.5%, but reflects year-on-year growth as digital formats continue to influence reading habits across Europe.

Cyprus’ Steady Progress

Cyprus recorded an increase of 4 percentage points compared with the previous year. The rise indicates a gradual shift toward digital media consumption, supported by wider access to online platforms and changing user preferences.

Comparative EU Benchmarks

Higher adoption rates were recorded in Ireland at 24.5%, Denmark at 22.5%, and Croatia at 21.0%. Lower levels were observed in Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and Latvia, where adoption remained below 5%, illustrating variation across the EU.

Growth Leaders And Declining Markets

Croatia recorded the largest increase, rising by 16 percentage points year on year. Additional growth was reported in Greece at 7.2 percentage points and Germany at 3.7 percentage points. At the same time, declines were observed in Finland, Portugal, and Malta, indicating uneven adoption trends across markets.

Looking Ahead

Digital reading and audio content consumption continue to expand across Europe. For Cyprus, recent growth suggests increasing engagement with digital formats, while the gap with higher-adoption markets remains a key benchmark for further development.

Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 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.

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.

Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter