UCY Summer School To Focus On Management And Economics Of Research

The University of Cyprus (UCY) is set to host its inaugural Twin4Merit summer school from September 2-10, 2024, in Nicosia. This event, part of the Horizon Europe-funded Twinning for Excellence in Management and Economics of Research and Innovation (Twin4Merit) project, aims to enhance knowledge in research management and economics through expert-led lectures and methodology training sessions.

The Twin4Merit project focuses on critical meta-research areas, including research assessment, open science, and gender equality. Collaborating with Maastricht University’s UNU-MERIT and the University of Carlos III of Madrid, with dissemination support from the European Office of Cyprus, the initiative seeks to elevate Cyprus’s research landscape.

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The summer school will benefit not only UCY members but also the broader Cypriot scientific community, including researchers and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from all Cypriot universities and relevant organisations. It also welcomes applications from other EU countries and the EMMENA region.

The programme begins with Transferable Skills Sessions on September 2-3, covering grant writing, project management, and research networking. A joint research conference on research assessment will follow on September 4-5, in collaboration with the SInnoPSis project. The final sessions on September 6, 9, and 10 will offer scientific skills training by advanced partners and local experts, focusing on ethics in research, open science principles, and gender in research assessment.

“The 1st Twin4Merit summer school aims to enhance the impact of UCY’s role as a major research and educational hub for the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (EMMENA) region,” the statement explained. The agenda will be finalised and published in early July, with a preregistration form available for interested participants.

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Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

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.

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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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