Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis has said that no tour operator or airline has considered reducing its schedules to Cyprus, which is an indication that "our country remains high on the priorities of both airlines, tour operators, and certainly travelers."
He also said that it is too early to make any estimates for 2026, but we must be optimistic.
Koumis, who held a series of contacts in Germany as head of a Cyprus delegation to the ITB Berlin tourism fair, said after his meetings that "unfortunately, our country, as a tourist destination, is currently called upon to face a geopolitical crisis, which differs from the crises we had to face in previous years."
He said that, in Berlin, he met with Cyprus' strategic partners with whom he discussed the latest developments and that the reduction or cancellation of flight schedules in the previous days was the main topic of discussion.
He stressed that restoring air connectivity is currently the government's top priority, adding that "by Sunday, European airlines will be back, although some have already returned. In essence, almost all airlines have returned, with the exception of airlines from Middle Eastern countries."
Koumis stressed that no tour operator or airline has even considered reducing its programs to Cyprus, "an indication that our country remains high on the priorities of both airlines, tour operators, and certainly travelers".
Regarding 2026, he said that "it is too early for safe estimates. Such conflicts always create uncertainty that evolves depending on the duration and escalation of tension."
The Deputy Minister stressed that the most important thing is that Cyprus is not part of the problem, adding that Cyprus was, is and will be a safe destination.
In relation to cancellations of reservations, he said that some cancellations were recorded, but mainly concern this period of time, the following weeks, and pointed out that cancellations are not only recorded in the Eastern Mediterranean region, but also in the Western Mediterranean, with less intensity.
"We must be optimistic, but also cautious. Tourism thrives in an environment of peace, trust and optimism" he concluded.
The Deputy Minister held a series of contacts with important strategic partners of the country and more specifically with heads of tourism organizations operating in the German market, as well as in other major markets, the press release says.
It adds that Koumis also held meetings with leading executives of airlines with large flight schedules to Cyprus.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism met with a delegation from Luxembourg, led by the Minister of Economy, Small and Medium Enterprises, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, with whom he discussed the recent geopolitical developments as well as ways to strengthen tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Luxembourg at various levels.
Finally, Koumis had a meeting with Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece Anna Karamanli, as well as with the President of WTTC Gloria Guevara.
(Source: CNA)
