The tourist season in the free Famagusta district is now moving at clearly better levels, following the difficulties recorded in the first months, according to the President of the Famagusta branch of Cyprus Hotel Association PASYXE, Panayiotis Constantinou, who estimates that occupancy rates in August will be around 80%-85%, while there are positive indications for September, with last-minute bookings increasing.
Speaking to CNA, Constantinou reported that the picture of tourist traffic in the Famagusta district has significantly improved during the months of July and August, despite the significant impacts recorded in the first months of the season.
As Constantinou said in response to a question from CNA, the situation has now changed, with the important markets in the region being at quite good levels.
Tourist traffic during this period is mainly supported by the United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, the Scandinavian countries and Central Europe, he said.
On the contrary, he added, the presence of certain markets is reduced, mainly due to the reduction in flights during the summer season, with Constantinou referring in particular to Switzerland and the Netherlands.
For August, the estimate is that hotel occupancy will be around 80%-85%. The indications for September are also positive, although, as Constantinou noted, “there is still ground to be covered.”
A particular feature of this season is the increased trend for last-minute bookings, a development that, according to the President of PASYXE Famagusta, is also linked to the situation that has developed in the Middle East.
If this trend continues, it is estimated that September will also record fairly good occupancy.
The estimates for October are more modest, sinve, as Constantinou mentioned, it is still too early to make a safe prediction. There is available hotel capacity and the expectation is that the flow of reservations will continue, in order to achieve a good or at least tolerable occupancy rate.
Of particular interest, however, is the prospect of extending the tourist season until November. Whie this is not the case for all hotel units, however, the largest and most important units are showing interest in extending their operation for a little longer, with the aim of limiting the losses recorded in the first months of the season.
Regarding revenue, Panayiotis Constantinou said that the difficulties of the first months have left their mark, with a gap being recorded until June.
However, in July and August, revenues, according to his estimate, are at the same levels as in 2025, while in August they may be even better, due to the higher prices recorded during this period.
At the same time, as he noted, an important parameter for profitability is the increase in operating costs. "Increased fuel and energy prices are expected to have an impact on the final results of hotel units," he said.
Based on current data, the assessment of PASYXE Famagusta is that the tourist season will end with a reduction in revenue of around 8%-10%.
At the same time, a positive development for the province is the increased presence of Cypriots. Constantinou noted that this year our compatriots have shown greater interest in holidays in the province of Famagusta, with the presence of Cypriots in the region being more intense, a fact which, as he said, particularly pleases the hotel world.
(Source: CNA)
