Breaking news

High Occupancy Rates for Cyprus Restaurants in October; Winter Decline Anticipated

Restaurants, cafes, and bars in Cyprus experienced a strong October, with occupancy levels reaching 80 to 90 per cent, according to Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, president of the Federation of Leisure Centre Owners (Osika). He described October as a “very successful month” for the food service industry.

However, with winter approaching, Thrasyvoulou acknowledged potential challenges, especially with the impact of regional instability. “Visitor numbers have seen a slight drop in recent days,” he noted, though he hopes that occupancy levels will remain steady until mid-November. By early November, Thrasyvoulou expects visitor occupancy to hover around 50 to 60 per cent, after which the responsibility will lie with businesses to keep operating, with support from the Labour Ministry’s programme to extend the tourism season.

Reflecting on the earlier summer months of June and July, Thrasyvoulou highlighted that visitor numbers were initially lower than expected, largely due to Middle East tensions. The trend eventually improved, leading to a stronger second half of the season.

Despite rising costs, Thrasyvoulou urged business owners to maintain affordable pricing, aiming to keep dining accessible for both locals and tourists amid economic pressures.

Euro Area Inflation Rises To 1.9% In February

Headline Figures Signal Modest Acceleration

Euro area annual inflation rose to 1.9% in February 2026, up from 1.7% in January, according to Eurostat’s flash estimate. The increase marks a modest acceleration in headline inflation. Inflation trends, however, remain uneven across member states.

Notable Price Stability In Cyprus

Cyprus recorded an annual inflation rate of 0.9% in February, the lowest among euro area countries under the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The figure continues a period of relatively stable price growth compared with other member states.

Sectoral Insights: Services Lead The Climb

Services inflation accelerated to 3.4% in February from 3.2% in January, remaining the main contributor to overall price pressures in the euro area. Food, alcohol, and tobacco held steady at 2.6% year-over-year, suggesting stabilization in consumer staples. Non-energy industrial goods increased to 0.7% from 0.4%, indicating moderate pricing pressure outside the energy component.

Energy Prices And Economic Divergence

Energy prices remained in negative territory but declined at a slower pace, moving from -4.0% in January to -3.2% in February. The deceleration in energy deflation reduced the downward pressure on headline inflation. Among major euro area economies, Germany’s inflation rate eased to 2.0% from 2.6%, while Spain recorded 2.5% and Italy 1.6%, reflecting uneven price dynamics across core markets.

Regional Disparities In Eastern Europe

Inflation remained elevated in parts of Eastern Europe and the Baltics. Slovakia posted 4.0%, Croatia 3.9%, and Estonia 3.2%, all above the euro area average. Slovenia moved in the opposite direction, with inflation rising to 2.8% from 1.9% year-over-year.

Monthly Variability And Short-Term Movements

Month-on-month data highlight short-term volatility. Belgium recorded a 2.5% increase and the Netherlands 1.5%, while Cyprus showed no monthly change. Slovakia posted a modest 0.1% increase, indicating more stable short-term pricing compared with Western European peers. These snapshots provide crucial insights for policymakers and investors navigating the complex inflationary environment.

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