Winter tourism is facing a challenging period, with hotel industry representatives warning of a sharp drop in visitor numbers from mid-November and calling for immediate action to support demand in the coming months and summer 2027.
Although September performed slightly better than the same month last year and October has shown positive signs, the outlook beyond the autumn remains less encouraging, according to Paphos Hoteliers Association president Thanos Loizides.
British market raises concerns
Loizides said tourist arrivals typically begin to decline from around 10 November, with Cyprus experiencing a significant drop in activity during the winter season.
He expressed particular concern about the British market, saying it is being affected by the economic difficulties facing European countries.
The Polish market is also important for Paphos, while Israel continues to play a significant role in supporting visitor numbers. However, travel from Israel remains sensitive to developments and stability in the country.
Loizides said the Israeli market made a decisive contribution to supporting tourism in Cyprus this year.
Calls for immediate promotion of Cyprus
Loizides urged the state, tourism stakeholders and airlines to act immediately to strengthen demand during the winter months and the summer of 2027.
He explained that most bookings are made between January and March, making early promotional campaigns abroad essential if Cyprus is to remain a leading choice for travellers.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has a significant role to play, he said, by strengthening awareness and promoting Cyprus in its main source markets.
Rising costs and staff shortages add pressure
Alongside uncertainty over demand, hotel businesses are facing higher operating costs, staff shortages during the summer season and concerns linked to international developments.
“These factors place further pressure on businesses in the sector, at a time when uncertainty over the course of demand makes planning particularly difficult,” Loizides said.
The industry is therefore calling for timely action to maintain Cyprus’s appeal to international visitors and support tourism beyond the peak summer season.
Also read: Cyprus records record 580,889 tourist arrivals in September
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