The numbers reflect the course of Cypriot tourism. However, it is the strategy that determines its future.
With arrivals remaining at high levels and competition intensifying, the discussion is now turning to upgrading the tourism product, expanding markets, from China to Israel, increasing per capita spending and establishing Cyprus as a year-round destination.
In an interview in the August edition of Cyprus Hotel Association Pasyxe's online publication 'Xenodochos,' the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, discusses the priorities of the national strategy, the opportunities created through new markets, as well as the next steps for tourism with greater added value.
Mr. Deputy Minister, Cyprus has one of the highest performances in the European Union in terms of overnight stays by foreign visitors. At the same time, however, the discussion is increasingly turning to the quality of tourism. Do you believe that our country continues to attract the “quality tourism” it seeks instead of the “quantitative” one?
It is a fact that our country ranks second in the European Union in overnight stays by foreign visitors for the first quarter of 2026 with a percentage of 85.6%, something that proves that Cyprus has established itself as a popular tourist destination, attracting numbers of tourists multiple times its population, an element that satisfies us.
In relation to the distinction you make about the tourist mix that visits our country, the aim of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, as expressed through the National Tourism Strategy 2035, is clear. Through a specific action plan, such as the development of special forms of tourism, we aim to increase the number of visitors who can be considered high-income visitors, so that an increase in average per capita expenditure results.
It is important to remember, however, that we are a country that welcomed 4.5 million visitors in 2025. Naturally, these are visitors of all "economic levels".
We should also note that there is a general trend, particularly in Europe, according to which people are now traveling more times in a year, but spending less on each trip.
Let's also not forget that we are in an era when low-cost airlines are constantly increasing their share, with all that this entails.
What is important is to continue investing in destinations, and in every aspect of them.
Speaking of new markets, recently the Chinese authorities have raised the issue of facilitating the visa issuance process for Cyprus. Is this something that the Deputy Ministry of Tourism is considering as a measure that could boost arrivals from the Chinese market?
Every major market interests us and, as the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, we are constantly examining the prospects for our country's further penetration into the so-called distant markets.
China is clearly no exception, as it is a country with a population of 1.4 billion and in recent years there has been an increasing trend among the country's residents in choosing Europe as their holiday destination.
We have been informed about what was said during the visit of Cypriot journalists, and we will certainly look into it in cooperation with the competent Ministry.
At the same time, as the Chinese market is being evaluated, arrivals from Israel have returned strongly. To what do you attribute this development and how important do you consider it to this year's tourism year?
In any case, the significant increase recorded by the Israeli market in the last two months is a very positive development, culminating in June, when an increase in tourist arrivals from our neighboring country was recorded by 165.6% compared to 2025.
It should be noted that, in reality, the Israeli market had remained essentially inactive during the two months of March and April, as the country's airports had been closed. In other words, there had been no loss due to Israelis' preference for another market.
Therefore, with the resumption of airline flight schedules at the end of April, we see this market maintaining the same momentum as in previous years.
In our previous discussion, you emphasised that Cyprus is steadily investing in the vision of an "all-season destination." What specific actions, incentives or programs is the Deputy Ministry of Tourism currently promoting so that the country can further reduce seasonality and enhance tourism activity throughout the year?
I will answer you about the action plan not only for the Fall of 2026, but for the coming years. The mitigation of seasonality is, after all, a key pillar of the National Tourism Strategy 2035 and a timeless request of the tourism industry.
We firmly believe that our country has the potential to become a year-round tourist destination in the long term.
Initially, we should note that recent steps have been taken in this direction, as evidenced by the performance of months such as October, which in 2025 was at similar levels to the summer months, and it seems that we have gained a few weeks.
We recognise, however, that there is still much to be done and we must mention that it is not a goal that can be achieved overnight.
As a Deputy Ministry, we promote the development of Special Forms of Tourism, with an action plan that concerns each sector separately, which is also the key to attracting tourists during the non-peak months.
Additionally, the incentive plans announced by the Deputy Ministry also include this dimension, while support for infrastructure upgrades in rural areas where the operational period is clearly shorter is also included in this context.
(Source: Xenodochos, InBusinessNews)
