OPEC Sticks To 2024 Oil Demand Growth Forecast But Trims Q1 View

On Tuesday, OPEC stuck to its forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand in 2024, despite lower-than-expected use in the first quarter, saying travel and tourism would support consumption in the year’s second half.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in a monthly report, said world oil demand will rise by 2.25 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 and by 1.85 million bpd in 2025. Both forecasts were unchanged from last month.

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OPEC’s report is the latest to flag robust oil market conditions heading into the second half of the year. Oil rose 3 per cent on Monday after Goldman Sachs said transport demand would push the market into a third-quarter deficit.

OPEC said steady global economic growth has continued in the first half of 2024 and forecast that world oil demand would rise by 2.3 million bpd in the second half.

“Globally, the services sector maintains a stable momentum,” OPEC said.

“It is projected to be the main contributor to the economic growth dynamic in the second half of 2024, particularly supported by travel and tourism, with a consequent positive impact on oil demand.”

OPEC+, which groups OPEC and allies such as Russia, has implemented a series of output cuts since late 2022 to support the market. The group agreed on June 2 to extend the latest cut of 2.2 million bpd until the end of September and gradually phase it out from October.

Oil was steady after the OPEC report was released with Brent crude edging down towards $81 a barrel.

The International Energy Agency, which represents industrialised countries, expects much lower demand growth than OPEC of 1.1 million bpd and is scheduled to provide an update on its view on Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs said on Monday that solid summer transport demand will push the oil market into a third-quarter deficit of 1.3 million bpd. Figures in OPEC’s report imply an even larger gap between supply and demand.

OPEC projects demand for OPEC+ crude, or crude from OPEC plus the allied countries working with it, at 43.6 million bpd in the third quarter, much more than the group is currently pumping, according to the report.

The OPEC+ group pumped 40.92 million bpd in May, the report said, citing figures from secondary sources. That marked a drop of 123,000 bpd from April with declines in Russia and Kazakhstan offsetting increases in Nigeria and smaller African producers.

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Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 1, 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.

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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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