Hotel occupancy in Cyprus faces significant decline

Hotel occupancy in Paphos and across Cyprus has seen a decline of approximately 20 percent compared to the same period last year. Thanos Michaelides, president of the Paphos branch of the Cyprus Hotel Association (Pasyxe), noted that occupancy rates are currently around 70 percent, despite an expected peak of over 90 percent for the summer months of June, July, and August. While there has been a slight upward trend in last-minute bookings, it has proven insufficient to recover normal seasonal levels. Dr. Christos Angelides, president of the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association (Pasydixe), attributed the downturn to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Although the rate of cancellations has slowed, both industry leaders emphasize the importance of maintaining high service quality despite financial challenges. Hotels are implementing response strategies, including special promotional offers and a increased focus on attracting domestic tourism to mitigate losses. Hoteliers are encouraging local residents to monitor promotional campaigns as a cost-effective alternative to traveling abroad.