Cyprus’ tourism industry on tenterhooks over second-largest market Israel

11:37 - 13 June 2025

Current Affairs

There is growing concern among Cyprus’ tourism stakeholders following the latest escalation of the Middle East crisis, triggered by Israel’s missile strike on Iran and the anticipated Iranian response.

This development deepens the uncertainty already prevailing due to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. It has prompted serious reflection and apprehension among the island’s tourism professionals about the potential consequences for Cyprus’ tourism industry.

With Israel being the second-largest tourism market for Cyprus, the latest developments threaten to derail — right at the start of the season — what had otherwise been promising indications and prospects for this summer. As a result, the country’s tourism bodies are effectively on high alert.

It has already been reported that flights between Israel and Cyprus’ Larnaca and Paphos airports have been cancelled. At the same time, officials who spoke to InBusinessNews are also highlighting the potential broader economic impact and the possible repercussions on Cyprus’ tourism.

As previously mentioned, Israel is Cyprus’ second-largest source of tourists. In the first four months of the year, arrivals from Israel reached 134,725, compared to 74,731 during the January–April 2024 period — showing a sharp increase of more than 80% (80.3%).

Meanwhile, national emergency mechanisms in Cyprus are fully mobilised to meet the increased accommodation needs of passengers from diverted flights that were originally bound for Israel but were rerouted to Larnaca and Paphos airports due to Israel’s missile strike on Iran.

(Source: InBusinessNews)

Cyprus’ tourism industry on tenterhooks over second-largest market Israel

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