Cypriot visitors provided significant support to the Paphos market during the summer season, as the tourism industry faced a more difficult year than expected.
Speaking to state radio, Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, president of the Federation of Leisure Centre Owners’ Associations, said the situation improved noticeably from the beginning of August, with increased numbers of Cypriot visitors giving businesses across the district a significant boost.
He said local visitors have traditionally played an important role in supporting the tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly during periods of uncertainty and reduced tourist traffic.
“We must keep an eye on local visitors because they have provided a boost during many difficult moments for the tourism industry,” he said.
Despite the challenges caused by developments in the wider region, August has been a particularly strong month for Paphos, with Cypriots choosing the district for holidays and outings.
Staff shortages continue to affect businesses
Commenting on complaints about delays in service during the August 15 holiday period, Thrasyvoulou said each business must take the necessary measures to meet demand.
At the same time, he stressed that staffing shortages remain particularly serious, with businesses struggling to find enough workers, especially for a short peak period such as August.
He said business owners had been cautious about recruitment from the beginning of the year, while some are now turning to workers from third countries to cover their staffing needs.
Young Cypriots have moved away from hospitality
Thrasyvoulou also highlighted the declining presence of young Cypriots in restaurants and leisure centres.
According to him, the once-common practice of Cypriot school and university students working in restaurants and leisure centres during the summer has effectively disappeared in recent years.
He said young people now prefer other areas of employment, while the seasonal nature of tourism and changes in the way younger generations grow up have significantly altered the sector’s labour market.
Concerns over business survival
The federation president also expressed concern about the prospects for businesses in the coming months, stressing that their survival cannot depend solely on the summer season.
The sector is hoping for stronger tourist traffic during the winter months. However, he warned that increased operating costs, taxation and broader economic conditions are creating a particularly challenging environment for many businesses.
He said the tourism industry had been significantly affected in recent months and did not rule out some businesses being unable to remain open until the end of the year.
“We will see businesses that will not reopen,” he said.
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