Europeans shift to Western Mediterranean
European tourists are increasingly choosing Western Mediterranean destinations over the Eastern Mediterranean, with Cyprus among the countries most affected by the regional uncertainty, according to the President of the Association of Cyprus Travel and Tourist Agents (ACTTA), Haris Papacharalambous.
Speaking to Economy Today, Papacharalambous said a clear shift in travel demand has emerged since March 2026, with Western Europe absorbing much of the tourism demand lost by the Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf countries.
“The Western Mediterranean is benefiting from the losses of the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
According to him, Spain and Portugal are among the main beneficiaries of the trend, while Tunisia has also gained to a lesser extent.
Cyprus tourism losses already visible
Papacharalambous said the impact on Cyprus is already evident and stressed that the decline is not based on perception alone.
“These are not fears but facts,” he said, adding that Cyprus lost significant ground following the strike on the Akrotiri base and the developments that followed.
He described the situation as a “domino effect” that continues to affect the tourism industry.
“Beyond the directly involved countries and the Gulf states, Cyprus and, to a lesser extent, Turkey are recording significant declines,” he added.
Travel advisories affect confidence
The ACTTA President said stricter or upgraded travel advisories issued by several countries further damaged confidence in Cyprus as a destination.
He explained that international media coverage and social media amplified concerns among travellers and tour operators alike.
Papacharalambous said the association and its members took immediate action in response to the situation, but warned that there are no quick fixes.
“In these cases, reaction time is critical and coordination between the private and public sectors is essential,” he said.
He also argued that Cyprus continues to suffer from the long-term absence of an effective crisis management mechanism and rapid communication strategy, as well as slow decision-making procedures and bureaucracy.
Last-minute bookings to dominate season
Looking ahead to the next two months, Papacharalambous said the tourism season is expected to rely heavily on last-minute bookings.
“The reality is that most of the season will depend on last-minute reservations for various reasons, and we do not expect a complete reversal of the overall picture,” he said.
He added that the current gap may narrow if no new unexpected events occur, but the year is still expected to close with fewer arrivals compared to both 2025 and the market’s original forecasts.
Lower demand keeps flight occupancy down
Commenting on airline connections, Papacharalambous said reductions in seat availability caused by flight schedule adjustments are not currently the main issue facing the sector.
“The drop in demand exceeds the reduction in seats, meaning flight occupancy levels remain relatively low,” he said.
He also noted that high airfares continue to negatively affect the industry, although he does not believe they will ultimately determine the outcome of the season.
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