Cyprus has approved a total tourism budget of €59.4 million for 2027, allocating approximately 62% of the amount towards destination promotion and tourism product enrichment. The budget was presented on 23 October 2026 to the House finance committee by Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis. This allocation covers promotional campaigns, participation in tourism fairs, and incentive programs aimed at strengthening the island’s tourism appeal.
Tourism Arrivals in 2026 Show Mixed Trends
Tourism arrivals in Cyprus dropped by 5.6% during the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, reflecting earlier steep declines. Between January and April 2026, arrivals fell 17.9% year-over-year amid cancellations
and booking freezes. Despite this, arrivals for January through September 2026 were 4.1% higher than in 2024 and 8.5% higher than in 2023. Deputy Minister Koumis highlighted that September 2026 recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals for that month on record, signaling a phase of recovery for the sector.
Tourism Revenue Declined but Shows Recovery Signs
Tourism revenue in Cyprus declined by 7% in the first seven months of 2026 compared with 2025. However, revenues were 9.2% above the same period in 2024 and 13.8% higher than in 2023 for the January to July window. Koumis noted that if the remainder of 2026 follows the 2025
trend, the total annual revenue decline will be limited to 3-4%, which he described as a satisfactory result under the circumstances.
2026 Tourism Crisis Linked to External Factors
Deputy Minister Koumis described 2026 as one of the most difficult years in decades for Cyprus tourism due to external factors that caused tens of thousands of cancellations and a significant slowdown in bookings, particularly in March and April. During some periods, bookings effectively froze for immediate and later travel dates. The government responded with measures to mitigate the disruption, though details of these interventions were not specified. Koumis affirmed that the sector has entered a recovery phase but
emphasized that success in tourism cannot be assumed without continued effort.
He stated, “2026 will undoubtedly remain in the history and memory of those working in the sector as a year during which our country’s tourism industry was called upon to face an unprecedented crisis as a result of external factors.” Koumis added, “We are continuing with the aim of ensuring that tourism continues in 2027 to generate benefits for our country’s economy, tourism businesses and, certainly, local communities.”
