September 2026 was the best September in the history of Cyprus tourism in terms of tourist arrivals, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumi has said.
He was presenting the Deputy Ministry’s 2027 budget before the House of Representatives Finance Committee on Friday, 23 October.
Arrivals during the first nine months of 2026 were down by just 5.6% compared with the same period last year, while remaining 4.1% higher than in 2024 and 8.5% above 2023 levels, Koumi said.
Tourism revenues over the first nine months fell by 7% year-on-year, but were up by 9.2% compared with 2024 and 13.8% compared with 2023. Last year, tourism revenues totalled €3.7 billion, while the average expenditure per tourist reached €785 up to September this year, compared with €778 in 2025. Daily spending also increased to €97.7 from €94.7.
Koumi described 2026 as a year in which Cyprus tourism faced an unprecedented crisis, which he said was among the most difficult periods for the sector in recent decades. The incident on 1 March, when a drone struck the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus and the negative publicity that followed led to a sharp decline in arrivals in March and April.
From the second day after the incident, the Deputy Ministry held meetings with strategic partners, tour operators and airlines to restore suspended flight schedules. This was achieved within days, limiting the loss of airline seats for the summer season to 3.3%, he said.
The Deputy Minister expressed satisfaction with the sector’s performance under the circumstances, estimating that tourism revenues could end the year just 3% to 4% lower, provided the trend in the coming months remains similar to that of last year.
Presenting the 2027 budget, Koumi said it amounts to €59.4 million, with approximately 62% allocated to promoting Cyprus as a destination and enriching its tourism product. The allocation includes promotional activities, participation in tourism fairs and incentive schemes worth €4.4 million.
Priorities for 2027 include strengthening Cyprus’s international tourism profile, upgrading the tourism product and spreading the benefits of tourism across the island, particularly in rural, mountainous and remote areas. Planned initiatives include promotional material produced using artificial intelligence and the development of a tourist guide in cooperation with the Cyprus University of Technology.
Asked about demand for next year, Koumi said a clearer picture was expected after his contacts at the World Travel Market in London in early November. He added that high airfares posed a new challenge, while last-minute bookings, which characterised 2026, were expected to remain a trend in 2027.
On infrastructure, he said four prospective investors had expressed interest in the Paphos marina project, with a final decision expected in 2027, while the Paralimni marina was currently under development.
“The success of the tourism sector can never be taken for granted. This was demonstrated again this year,” Koumi said, expressing the hope that tourism would continue to benefit the economy, businesses and local communities in 2027.
(Source: CNA)
