Famagusta tourist season projected to finish 10 percent below 2025 record

The tourist season in the free Famagusta area of Cyprus is projected to conclude with a 10 percent decrease in activity compared to the record-breaking 2025 season. The year began with significant challenges, as Ayia Napa and Protaras experienced low occupancy rates in March, primarily attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, the sector recovered throughout the summer, with August occupancy reaching approximately 90 percent and September performance matching the previous year's levels.

Panagiotis Konstantinou, president of the Famagusta branch of the Cyprus Hotels Association (PASYXE), stated that the industry is satisfied given the difficult start, noting that state support provided in April and May was essential in stabilizing the sector. While current occupancy in most hotels remains between 80 and 90 percent, forward-looking data shows that October bookings are currently trailing last year's figures by about 10 percent. Visitors are primarily arriving from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Poland, and Central Europe, with Israeli tourists also contributing to a steady flow of arrivals. Industry stakeholders remain optimistic about 2027, provided that regional tensions in the Middle East do not escalate further.