Limassol’s tourism sector is facing a challenging year, but business travel, international conferences and the city’s growing technology sector are helping offset weaker leisure demand.
That is the assessment of Christos Tsanos, president of the Limassol branch of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe), who said conference and corporate travel have become increasingly important as holiday bookings remain under pressure.
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Business Travel Helps Offset Weaker Tourism
Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, the publication of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), Tsanos said the sector’s recovery has been slower than expected, partly because many travellers plan holidays to Cyprus well in advance.
Uncertainty began affecting bookings in February and March, he said, leaving visitor numbers down by around 20% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The slowdown deepened in April, May and June, when Limassol recorded roughly 25% fewer visitors than a year earlier.
“There is still a problem,” Tsanos said.
From May onwards, however, hotels and tourism operators stepped up efforts to attract conference delegates, business travellers and corporate events.
Limassol Expands Its MICE Strategy
As leisure demand softened, the city strengthened its presence at international exhibitions, including ITB Berlin and IMEX Frankfurt, while promoting itself as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
Working alongside the Limassol Tourism Development and Promotion Company, Pasyxe and other stakeholders, the city has focused on attracting more international business events.
Tsanos said conference delegates have generally proved more willing to travel than leisure visitors, helping support hotels and the wider tourism industry.
Technology Events Gain Importance
Tsanos said technology, innovation and business conferences are becoming an increasingly important part of Limassol’s economy.
He added that international events generate spending well beyond hotels, benefiting restaurants, transport providers, retail businesses and other local services.
Looking Beyond The Coast
Looking ahead, Tsanos said Limassol should continue investing in tourism infrastructure and public transport while encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond the coastline.
He argued that better transport links would make it easier for tourists to reach the Troodos foothills, forests, nature trails, waterfalls and reservoirs, broadening the district’s tourism offering.
Challenges Still Remain
Tsanos also welcomed Limassol’s integrated resort and casino, saying its conference facilities have strengthened the city’s ability to host major international events.
Despite that progress, he identified illegal short-term rentals and worsening traffic congestion as the sector’s biggest long-term challenges.
He said all accommodation providers should operate under comparable regulatory standards to ensure fair competition, while improvements to public transport and wider mobility infrastructure will be essential as Limassol continues to attract international companies and business travellers.
