Three years ago, City of Dreams Mediterranean opened its doors with an ambition that extended beyond creating a new luxury resort in Limassol. Melco Resorts & Entertainment wanted to contribute to something bigger: strengthening Cyprus’ position on the luxury tourism map and helping the island become a destination that attracts visitors throughout the year.
As we mark our third anniversary this year, there is much to be proud of. But it is also an opportunity to look forward.
Cyprus has made significant progress as a tourism destination. Yet one of the most important challenges facing our industry remains seasonality. For decades, the island’s tourism proposition has been closely associated with sun and sea and, consequently, with the summer months.
Cyprus deserves its reputation for exceptional beaches and Mediterranean summers. But that is only part of what the island has to offer.
If we want a stronger and more resilient tourism economy, we must give people compelling reasons to travel to Cyprus in the autumn and winter, as well as July and August.
Since opening in July 2023, City of Dreams Mediterranean has recorded more than eight million visits, attracting guests particularly from Europe and the Middle East. This demonstrates the potential of adding new dimensions to Cyprus’ established tourism offering.
An integrated resort can help address seasonality because its appeal is not dependent on the weather. World class entertainment, gastronomy, wellness, sport, family activities, conferences, and events can create year-round demand.
Over the past three years, Melco Resorts & Entertainment has invested substantially in building that proposition. Our year-round programme has included international performers and DJs, Greek, Israeli and Arab artists, major sporting events, Christmas events and our Wet Glam Summer Poolside series. We have expanded our sports offering through a golf partnership with Limassol Greens, the Marcos Baghdatis Tennis Academy and new padel facilities, while our 5,000sqm Adventure Park is a novel attraction for visitors and the local community.
The objective is simple: give people more reasons to visit and more reasons to return.
Developing a year-round destination also means encouraging visitors to experience Cyprus beyond the resort. Through complementary excursions to Omodos, Lefkara, Kourion and local wineries, our guests discover the culture, heritage and communities that make this island distinctive. Our international campaigns promote Cyprus’ mild winters, natural beauty and cultural richness in markets across Europe and the Middle East.
The economic importance of extending the tourism season cannot be overstated. More year-round activity means more stable employment, greater demand for local businesses and a stronger contribution to the wider economy.
Today, City of Dreams Mediterranean provides year-round employment to more than 1,800 colleagues, while also supporting jobs through its network of local suppliers, contractors and service providers.
The resort’s direct contribution to public revenues is also significant. Since opening, City of Dreams Mediterranean has paid approximately €111 million in gaming taxes and licence fees.
But the impact of a major tourism investment, the biggest of its kind in Cyprus, should not only be measured in numbers. It also helps develop new skills, create careers, support local businesses and ultimately strengthen the destination around it.
One particularly important opportunity for Cyprus is business tourism. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions are not dependent on the traditional summer calendar and can bring significant economic activity during periods when leisure demand is traditionally lower.
In 2025 alone, City of Dreams Mediterranean hosted 82 events and nearly 90,000 attendees, with its Groups & Events segment recording a 30% year-on-year growth and a repeat-business rate of approximately 20%–25% within two years which demonstrate immediate impact and sustained client confidence.
In 2026, City of Dreams Mediterranean was also proud to support Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union by hosting two international conferences, demonstrating the island’s ability to accommodate major international gatherings.
No single resort, hotel, airline or tourism organisation, however, can turn Cyprus into a year-round destination alone.
It requires collaboration. We need strong air connectivity throughout the year, continued investment in infrastructure and skills, and international marketing that promotes a fuller picture of Cyprus than the traditional summer holiday. Public and private sectors must work together to create experiences that appeal to different travellers at different times of the year.
Above all, stakeholders should focus not simply on increasing visitor numbers, but on increasing the value tourism creates for Cyprus.
For City of Dreams Mediterranean, its third anniversary is therefore a milestone rather than a destination. The company will continue investing in entertainment, gastronomy, events, innovation, and, most importantly, our people. We will continue developing experiences that encourage guests to explore Cyprus, and supporting the communities around us.
The first three years have shown what is possible when we broaden the definition of a Cyprus holiday.
Cyprus has the climate, culture, hospitality, natural beauty and increasingly the infrastructure to succeed throughout the year. The challenge is to bring those strengths together into a compelling proposition for international travellers.
If we succeed, the benefits will extend far beyond tourism statistics: more stable employment, stronger local businesses, greater international visibility and a more resilient economy.
Three years after opening our doors, that is the future City of Dreams Mediterranean remains committed to helping Cyprus build.
*By Grant Johnson, Property General Manager, City of Dreams Mediterranean
