Tourism bookings for 2027 are currently 8% to 12% lower than at the same point last year, despite plans by airlines and tour operators to maintain or increase capacity to the island.
Tourism officials are approaching the next season with cautious optimism as inflation, energy costs and higher airfares continue to affect travel demand.
Early bookings show decline
Cyprus Hoteliers Association Director-General Christos Angelides stated that bookings for 2027 were down by 8% to 12% compared with the corresponding period in 2026, both from the UK and other markets.
He said higher borrowing costs, energy prices and airline ticket fares were making travellers more cautious about their spending.
“We remain vigilant and ready to respond if necessary,” he said.
Tourism industry warns of difficult year
Cyprus Tourism Enterprises Association (Stek) President Akis Vavlitis said initial indications from the World Travel Market (WTM) in London were not particularly encouraging, although he stressed that it was too early to draw firm conclusions.
He noted that demand trends appeared similar across competing destinations.
“If the energy crisis affecting Europe and inflation in Cyprus’ tourism source markets are not addressed, 2027 is expected to be a very difficult tourism year,” he said.
However, Vavlitis identified the maintenance of flight schedules at around last year’s levels, with increases in some cases, as a positive factor.
He expects a clearer picture to emerge between late December and early January.
Airlines plan to increase capacity
Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis struck a more optimistic note following meetings with industry representatives at the World Travel Market exhibition in London.
“We were pleased to learn of the intention of most organisers to increase available seats to Cyprus for next year, despite continued pressure on the tourism sector from rising fuel prices and inflation,” Koumis said.
He said the Deputy Ministry of Tourism was continuing to monitor developments while preparing for what it hopes will be another successful year for the sector.
Key booking period ahead
Industry representatives said planned airline capacity for 2027 was either matching or exceeding current levels, depending on the market.
Angelides noted that final flight numbers would depend on sales during the key booking period between November and February, when operators assess demand and adjust their programmes accordingly.
Also read: Cypriots spent over €2.5 billion on trips abroad in 2025
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