Cyprus tourism experiences mixed results as last-minute bookings bolster occupancy

Cyprus is seeing a significant peak in tourism activity during mid-August, with hotel occupancy rates showing regional variance. While the sector faced earlier uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war in Iran, which led to high cancellation rates between March and May, the market has stabilized significantly. Tourism officials report that last-minute bookings are acting as a critical buffer, preventing sharper declines in annual performance.

In Limassol, occupancy rates have reached approximately 90%, matching 2025 levels, buoyed by strong domestic demand between August 10 and 17. Conversely, Larnaca continues to face challenges, with hotel occupancy roughly 15% lower than the previous year, although local officials remain cautiously optimistic due to new agreements with TUI UK and Jet2. Paphos also reports high performance, with occupancy estimated between 85% and 90% for August. Official data from June indicated a 16% decrease in tourism revenue, though more recent passenger arrival figures for July showed a decline of only 0.7% compared to the previous year, suggesting a recovering trend.

Looking ahead, officials expect the current momentum to carry through the remainder of the summer. Stakeholders emphasize that while the seasonal surge is vital, the industry remains sensitive to regional geopolitical developments, and final annual figures will not be confirmed until the end of the year.