Hotels in South Reached 80% Occupancy on Holy Spirit Long Weekend

While the holiday weekend traffic can be considered satisfactory, hoteliers observe that domestic tourism alone cannot significantly alter the general occupancy situation, as Cypriot stays tend to be short-lived in hotel accommodations.

Looking ahead to the summer tourist season, Michaelides highlighted expectations for a slight decrease of 5% to 10% in occupancy compared to last year. He mentioned that last-minute bookings may improve the overall outlook somewhat, but clarified that the British market, traditionally dominant in Cyprus tourism, is not performing at desired levels this year. Moreover, ongoing military operations in Israel and Ukraine continue to negatively impact tourist flows to Cyprus.

Meanwhile, an increasing tourist flow is observed toward Paphos, as flights from Israel have resumed. As confirmed by first-semester bookings, Paphos tourism is projected to continue its upward trend in 2024. The province appears to be solidifying its significant position among the preferences of several European countries that previously had minimal connection with the region. Countries like Poland, Hungary, and Austria, as well as southern countries like France and Italy, are increasingly playing a pivotal role in Paphos’ tourism landscape. Unlike many other destinations, they contribute to a steady year-round influx of visitors, not just during the summer months.

Source: In-Cyprus