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Polish Cycling Clubs Plan Return To Paphos After Successful Cycling Experience

Exploring Paphos: A Rising Cycling Haven

Cyprus is rapidly positioning itself as a premier cycling tourism destination. The Paphos Regional Tourism Board (Etap Paphos) recently hosted 12 prominent Polish cycling clubs, offering them an immersive experience of the island’s extensive network of routes. This initiative is a vital part of a broader strategy to extend the visitor season and enhance Paphos’s international reputation.

Enhancing The Cycle Tourism Experience

During their visit, the Polish cyclists traversed varied landscapes from the Laona region to Akamas, Polis Chrysochous, and the regions near the Diarizos and Xeros rivers. These journeys combined natural beauty with meticulously maintained surfaces, reinforcing Paphos as an ideal destination for rigorous training camps and recreational cycling, particularly between November and May.

Exceptional Hospitality And Local Flavours

The visitors were equally impressed by the exceptional hospitality shown by local tourism professionals and community members. Beyond the exhilarating rides, the clubs also praised the wide variety of gastronomic experiences, including authentic local cuisine and traditional products, which perfectly complemented their sporting activities.

Diverse Economic Impact And Sector Growth

The surge in cycling tourism is reshaping Europe’s travel landscape, with data from the European Cyclists’ Federation reporting annual revenues exceeding €44 billion. From multi-day bikepacking adventures to scenic riverside rides, the industry supports thousands of small businesses and diversifies traditional travel markets across the continent.

Strategic Investments For A Sustainable Future

Paphos’s commitment to enhancing its cycling infrastructure is evident in its continual development of urban and rural cycle paths and the integration of modern e-bike technology. This strategic investment improves accessibility and positions the island favorably against competitors, particularly during the mild winter months when most of the European market faces seasonal challenges.

Conclusion: Paphos On The Move

The exceptional experience of the Polish cycling clubs highlights the substantial economic and cultural benefits of cultivating cycling tourism. With renewed commitment and strategic outreach, Paphos is well on its way to becoming a central hub for both competitive and leisure cycling in Europe, promising long-term growth and enhanced global stature.

Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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