Travel by Cypriots is expected to reach a new record in 2026, with outbound trips forecast to exceed two million for the first time.
According to Charis Papacharalambous, president of the Cyprus Association of Travel and Tourist Agents (ACTTA), travel has increased by around 7% this year. It is expected to reach 2.1 million trips by the end of 2026, compared with 1.96 million in 2025.
He told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the figure corresponds to around 2.2 trips per permanent resident per year.
“The residents of Cyprus continue to travel,” Papacharalambous said, noting that travel is increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury.
He also attributed the rise to improved air connectivity, which has expanded the range and frequency of available destinations for people living in Cyprus.
Greece remains the top destination
Around 85% of trips by Cyprus residents are to European destinations, including the UK, while almost 70% are to EU countries.
Greece remains the most popular destination, accounting for around 33% of trips, followed by countries including Italy, Poland, France and Germany.
Spain, Romania and Poland have also recorded significant percentage increases.
Interest in long-haul destinations is also growing. The United States is among the destinations gaining interest, while Japan has made particularly strong gains among travellers from Cyprus over the past two to three years.
Papacharalambous said Japan is mainly attracting older travellers and families with older children. Thailand is also regaining popularity after a decline in interest over the previous one to two years.
British market down 11%
As for incoming tourism, Papacharalambous said arrivals in July were close to last year’s levels, although performance varied considerably between markets.
European markets remain below last year’s figures, partly due to changes in flight schedules following the events of March and the broader economic situation in key source markets.
The British market was close to July 2025 levels but remains around 11% lower so far this year compared with the same period last year. Arrivals from EU countries are down by 9.5%.
The Israeli market has partly offset these declines, recording a significant increase over the past two months.
Papacharalambous said there were around 80,000 to 90,000 more Israeli visitors over the two-month period than last year, with arrivals from Israel rising by around 165% in June.
However, he noted that the increase in arrivals does not necessarily translate into a similar rise in overnight stays, as Israeli visitors tend to stay for fewer nights than the average European tourist.
Winter tourism remains a challenge
Papacharalambous also highlighted the need to strengthen winter tourism in Cyprus.
He said efforts were being made, but described them as fragmented and lacking a long-term plan.
A major expansion of winter tourism requires long-term planning that creates the necessary conditions and gives investors confidence that a viable tourism product will be available, he said.
Asked about tourism prospects for 2027, Papacharalambous said the uncertainty surrounding the region’s geopolitical environment makes reliable forecasts difficult.
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