Cyprus ‘optimistic’ about tourism recovery amid Middle East conflict

Representatives of Cyprus’ tourism industry have said they are “optimistic” visitation numbers will return to normal following an initial downturn when the Middle East conflict began.

 

Drones linked to Iranian forces targeted the UK’s RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus on March 1, with a further two drones intercepted the following day, leading to a temporary shutdown of airspace.

 

Flying programmes were reestablished “after three or four days”, though demand for imminent departures dropped.

 

The country’s deputy tourism minister Costas Koumis said while bookings had slowed, the destination was already showing signs of recovery.

 

He told Aspire’s sister publication Travel Weekly: “There is an upward trend in bookings now, so I believe we’ll have much better days ahead. I’m very optimistic that the upcoming summer will be as successful as previous summers."

 

Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol - one of the island’s premier properties - said it saw cancellations when tensions first escalated but continued to position Cyprus "as a safe and highly desirable destination for international travellers”.

 

General manager Yannis Stefanou told Aspire: "While we remain mindful of broader global developments, we recognise that travellers are taking a more considered approach when planning their holidays.

 

“The hotel is fully operational and ready to welcome visitors, maintaining the exceptional standards of service our partners and clients expect. All facilities and services remain available.

 

"Connectivity from key markets, including the UK, remains stable, and daily life on the island continues as usual. We look forward to the season ahead with optimism.”

 

Cyprus-based four and five-star hospitality group Constantinou Bros Hotels saw cancellations across its four properties, with forward bookings “tailing off quite dramatically compared to normal intake” in the immediate aftermath, according to sales and marketing director Alex Babic.

 

While the group saw high occupancy levels over the Easter period, Babic labelled booking levels “concerning” and said while reservations have begun to pick up, booking rates for this summer “are still not the same as last year”.

 

Bookings have been more “resilient” at the group’s five-star all-suite property Asimina, which Babic attributed to affluent travellers’ tendencies for "later bookings”.

 

The brand will go ahead with a fam trip to the property this month, hosting 80 international agents in resort.

 

“It’s key for us to get agents out there,” Babic added. 

 

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is not currently advising against travel to Cyprus.

 

“[The island] is more than a thousand kilometres away from the conflict zone. We’re not part of the problem and we’ve never been part of it – that’s an important fact,” Koumis said.

 

“None of the tour operators or travel agencies have reduced their planned capacity for Cyprus, which is very important and shows trust.”

 

Babic added: “The general consensus is that as long as [Cyprus] remains out of the news and there are no further incidents, things should be hopefully getting back to normal.”

 

Cyprus welcomed about 1.4 million UK visitors in 2025.