Cyprus tourism ministry to launch Easter villages scheme in 2027

The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism plans to launch an 'Easter Villages' initiative in 2027 to boost rural and mountain tourism. Approved by the cabinet last week, the scheme invites municipalities and communities along the 'Heartland of Legends' route to apply for funding. Ten locations will be selected to host themed events from Holy Thursday through the Sunday after Easter. Planned activities include traditional food preparation, craft workshops, Epitaphios decoration, guided tours, and local dance and music demonstrations. Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis stated the program aims to preserve cultural heritage and support local economies, which have faced challenges due to regional instability. While the sector experienced a recovery after recent crises, tourism receipts for the first four months of 2026 fell by 23.9 percent compared to 2025. Average per-tourist expenditure also decreased by 10.3 percent to 651.77 euros during the same period. The initiative seeks to mitigate these impacts by attracting more visitors to the countryside.