Young Entrepreneur Donates Entire €100,000 Prize to Empower Future Leaders

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 14, 2025

A Pioneering Act of Generosity and Vision

George Chrysostomides, the 23-year-old founder of Shrine Solutions Ltd (shrine.io), has announced his intention to donate the full €100,000 cash prize awarded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. This groundbreaking decision, made after winning first place at the 2025 Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs, exemplifies a commitment to fostering growth among emerging talents and supporting families in need.

Championing Social Impact Through Entrepreneurship

Standing atop an impressive €200,000 prize pool—where the other winners received €60,000 and €40,000 respectively—Chrysostomides declared his belief that “success has value only when it is shared.” His decision to channel the esteemed award money into charitable initiatives and direct support for nascent businesses underscores a broader vision: entrepreneurship should drive societal advancement alongside personal progress.

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Inspiration Backed by Recognition and Legacy

Upon receiving the award, Chrysostomides expressed gratitude to Sir Stelios, whose longstanding advocacy for young entrepreneurs has served as a beacon for many in the Cypriot business community. He emphasized that his donation aims not only to provide critical financial support but also to inspire a culture where personal achievements catalyze wider social benefits.

Investing in the Future

Opting against reinvesting in his own business, Chrysostomides is channeling his winnings toward uplifting fellow innovators and providing a lifeline to those embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys. By doing so, he upholds the belief that empowering young talents is the most effective strategy for building a resilient and dynamic economic future.

An Enduring Legacy of Community Mindedness

Shrine Solutions Ltd continues to lead in merging technological innovation with modern digital commerce through its shrine.io platform. Similarly, initiatives like the Stelios Awards serve to not only recognize outstanding entrepreneurs but also to ignite community-oriented practices across the region.

This remarkable gesture by Chrysostomides illustrates that transformative leadership is measured not by personal gain, but by the ability to drive positive change for society at large.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

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.

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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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