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Land-line and mobile connections increase in H1 2024 

The Office of the Commissioner for Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation (OCECPR) recorded increases in fixed telephony connections, fixed broadband access, the number of mobile users and fixed and mobile data volumes, according to the statistics for the Electronic Communications Market with data up to June 2024.

As stated in a press release issued by the Office, in terms of fixed telephony and broadband access during the first half of 2024 there was a slight increase in total fixed telephony connections, with 4,019 new connections compared to the second half of 2023.

It is added that Fiber Optic connections have continued their upward trend, with fiber optic networks now being the main fixed line connection covering 72.9% of the market.

It is added that fixed broadband access showed a slight increase of 2,580 subscribers or 0.7% compared to the second half of 2023, with a particularly significant increase (+6%) in connections with speeds ≥100Mbps, due to the expansion of high-capacity networks and free access speed upgrades. At the same time, the share of subscribers with speeds above 1Gbps increased by 0.5% to 3.3%.

The average data volume per fixed line in Q2 2024 was 1.04 TB, continuing its upward trend, while the total data volume for the first half of 2024 increased by 7.3% compared to the second half of 2023.

In mobile telephony, according to the data, the first half of 2024 saw an increase of 32,858 users compared to the second half of 2023, with the contract subscription rate showing an increase of 1.1% and contracts offering unlimited data, voice and SMS making up 57.1% of total contracts.

It is added that the ratio of mobile users to the population of the Republic of Cyprus increased by 3.6%, reaching 158.8%, an increase attributable to contract subscriptions, as prepaid users decreased by 6,032 in the same period. Total data volume for the first half of 2024 increased by 17.9% compared to the second half of 2023, reaching 116,610 TB, surpassing the 100,000 TB mark for the first time in six months.

Moreover, total data volume (fixed and mobile) during the first half of 2024 showed an increase of 67,644 TB (+8.6%) compared to the second half of 2023, while the percentage of data via fixed broadband access fell below 90%, reaching 85.81% in Q2 2024, due to the increase in mobile contracts with unlimited data, a trend that is expected to continue, the press release concluded.

Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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