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Israel Surpasses United Kingdom in Cyprus Tourism Arrivals for December 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 23, 2026

In a surprising twist in Cyprus’ tourism metrics, Israel emerged as the top source market in December 2025, outpacing the United Kingdom, which has long dominated the landscape. Even if this shift occurred for just one month in an otherwise consistent trend, it offers valuable insights into evolving travel dynamics.

Overview Of December Trends

According to data from the Cyprus Statistical Service, total tourist arrivals in December 2025 reached 156,959 compared to 133,063 in the same month of the previous year, marking an impressive 18% increase. While the United Kingdom has historically been the largest market for Cyprus tourism, this December saw Israel surpass it, accounting for 19.1% (30,020 arrivals) versus the United Kingdom’s 19% (29,826 arrivals).

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Israel Takes The Lead

The leap by Israel over the United Kingdom can be attributed to several factors. London and other major UK cities are renowned for their festive atmosphere during the Christmas season, which may lead many British travelers to opt for local celebrations rather than international travel. In contrast, Israel’s appeal seems to have resonated strongly with travelers looking for a distinct holiday experience, enabling it to secure the top spot for the month.

Seasonal Competition And Market Shifts

Central European cities such as Vienna, Strasbourg, and Cologne are well-known winter attractions, further intensifying the competition for leisure travelers. Nevertheless, Cyprus continues to attract significant numbers, bolstered by strategic efforts to enhance visitor inflows from key markets. For instance, the increase in German tourists from 7,535 in December 2024 to 11,569 in December 2025 represents a robust 53.5% surge, reflecting targeted marketing strategies. Similarly, arrivals from France grew by 55.6%, albeit from a lower base, while Polish arrivals saw a 42.5% increase over the same period.

Challenges From Scandinavian Markets

While these gains highlight strong sector growth, there are warning signs from traditional markets. Scandinavian countries, which have historically contributed substantial tourist numbers, have shown declines. Danish arrivals dropped by 2.8%, and Norwegian arrivals plunged by 33.2%, whereas Swedish arrivals remained virtually unchanged with a modest increase of 0.4%.

Purpose Of Travel And Broader Impact

Analyzing purpose-of-visit data reveals that 56.4% of tourists traveled to Cyprus for leisure, 32.0% for visiting friends or relatives, and 11.3% for business, compared to December 2024 figures. On an annual scale, from January to December 2025, total tourist arrivals increased by 12.2%, reaching 4,534,073 compared to 4,040,200 in 2024. Similarly, tourism revenues surged by 15.0%, rising to €3,431.4 million for January to October 2025 from €2,983.8 million over the same period in 2024.

Conclusion And Future Outlook

The data underscores not only the dynamic shifts in visitor demographics and seasonal preferences but also highlights the success of strategic initiatives aimed at tapping into high-potential markets. As Cyprus continues to evolve its tourism offering, these trends signal an ongoing balancing act between maintaining strong traditional markets and harnessing emerging ones, ensuring robust growth and sustained economic impact in the sector.

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New Operating Hours Law To Transform Cyprus Hospitality Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 16, 2026

Legislative Overhaul Targets Sectoral Modernization

The parliamentary Energy Committee is reviewing a proposal that could significantly reshape operating hours for hospitality and entertainment venues across Cyprus. The initiative also includes provisions for the establishment of recreational centres and is intended to close existing regulatory gaps while strengthening the competitiveness of the tourism and dining industries.

Industry Categorization and Operational Adjustments

The draft law introduces a new classification of service venues and adjusts operating schedules according to season. Following strong reactions from professional associations and other stakeholders, the government revised the bill before its submission for closed-door committee discussions. In line with parliamentary procedure, the detailed debate and final amendments will be decided exclusively by elected members of parliament.

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Seasonal Flexibility And Specific Amendments

Under the revised proposal, pubs and bars would operate on different seasonal timetables. From May 1 to September 30, opening hours would run from 7:00 AM to 2:30 AM on weekdays and Sundays, with an extension until 3:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. From October 1 to April 30, weekday and Sunday operations would end at 2:00 AM, while weekend hours would extend until 3:00 AM. These changes replace earlier rules that allowed restaurants, taverns, cafés, pizzerias and snack bars to operate from 6:00 AM to 1:30 AM.

Refined Hours For Entertainment Venues

The legislation also sets updated schedules for event halls, reception venues and music or dance centres. During the summer period, these establishments would be permitted to operate from 8:00 PM to 2:30 AM on weekdays and Sundays, with later closing times on weekends. In winter, weekday and Sunday operations would end at 2:00 AM, again with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Earlier drafts proposed uniform early closures, but the revised version introduces more flexibility to better reflect market demand.

Local Authority Flexibility

Municipal councils would retain the right to temporarily adjust operating hours for recreational venues for up to six months per year. This provision is designed to give local authorities room to respond to tourism peaks, festivals or regional economic needs while maintaining a consistent national framework.

Final approval of the reform is expected to come from the full House of Representatives, with the bill scheduled for submission before the April session ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.