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Economist Calls For Hotel Incentives To Support Cyprus Tourism

Safeguarding Cyprus’ Reputation

Tassos Yiasemides said Cyprus must maintain its position as a stable destination for tourism and investment as regional tensions continue. He noted that the country’s economy is strongly influenced by external factors, making it sensitive to geopolitical developments.

Optimizing Hotel Operations

Yiasemides said policies that support hotel operations could help sustain tourism activity during periods of uncertainty. Incentives for hotels to remain open, even with reduced staffing levels, could help maintain visitor confidence. Christos Zannetou also stressed the importance of keeping hotels operating during winter months. Continuous activity supports Cyprus’s tourism image and helps maintain employment in the sector.

Enhancing Economic Diplomacy And Inflation Controls

Yiasemides said Cyprus should strengthen economic diplomacy and tourism promotion to offset possible declines in visitor numbers from conflict-affected regions. Diversifying tourist markets could also reduce reliance on specific source countries.

Rising prices and higher energy costs remain additional challenges for the economy. The Cyprus Consumers Association has called for measures, including fuel subsidies, to support households and limit price pressures.

Addressing Energy Challenges And Long-Term Stability

Yiasemides also highlighted structural challenges in the energy sector. He said expanding renewable energy production and improving energy storage could strengthen supply stability. Other measures discussed include targeted support for vulnerable households and adjustments to certain consumption taxes. These steps could help mitigate the economic effects of higher energy and food prices. The proposals outline possible policy responses to current economic pressures affecting Cyprus.

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.

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