Breaking news

Placy: Cyprus-Born AI Assistant Transforming Real Estate

In a significant development for the real estate industry, Placy, a Cyprus-born AI assistant, has been launched to revolutionise the sector. Conceived by industry veterans Sergey Osipov, Mike Vasiliev, and Alex Alexeev, Placy aims to simplify and enhance the real estate market with advanced AI capabilities. This innovative tool provides personalised, insightful guidance to real estate professionals, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.

The Genesis and Vision

Placy was developed with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the real estate market. The creators envisioned an AI-powered solution that transcends traditional property portals, providing real-time, actionable insights. According to Vasiliev, “The time for property portals is over. The next decade is all about AI co-pilots.”

Functionality and Impact

Placy leverages AI to analyse property listings, state registries, and social media, delivering comprehensive information in multiple languages. This capability allows real estate agents to automate up to 50% of their tasks at a fraction of the cost. As Sotiris Komodromos, Placy’s Chief Commercial Officer, explains, “The objective is to automate 50% of the real estate agent’s tasks at 25% of the cost, safeguarding the profession while creating the instruments for the realtor of the future.”

Placy Pro, an advanced version of the assistant, supports agents by reducing their working hours through ongoing automation. This tool is designed to handle various aspects of real estate transactions, from understanding local regulations to identifying ideal properties for clients, making it an indispensable asset for modern real estate professionals.

Strategic Advantages and Future Prospects

Launching from Cyprus offers unique advantages, including an open market, an enthusiastic community, and high commission rates. Osipov’s extensive local market knowledge, gained over nine years in Cyprus, further enhances Placy’s potential for rapid adoption and success.

Placy’s introduction heralds a new era in real estate, where technology and human expertise converge to create a seamless, efficient experience for all stakeholders. As the industry evolves, AI assistants like Placy are poised to become integral to real estate operations, driving innovation and efficiency.

In summary, Placy represents a significant leap forward for the real estate industry, embodying the future of AI-driven solutions. Its creators are poised to lead this transformation, making Placy an essential tool for real estate professionals in Cyprus and beyond.

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.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm
eCredo
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter