CYPRUS: Tourist arrivals expected to drop this summer

Tourist arrivals in Cyprus this summer are expected to record a slight dip on last year, according to President of the Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA).

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Vasilis Stamataris told CNA that the decrease is attributed to competition from neighbouring countries, the uncertainty over Brexit, the closure of Germania airline and the fact that many Russian tourists are choosing Turkey for their holidays. 

Hotels are already observing a reduction in bookings for June, however the President of ACTA believes there will be last-minute bookings, that would lead to nearly the same numbers as last year’s record of almost 4 million. 

Stamataris said neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Egypt, offer cheaper packages compared to Cyprus but he feels the reduction of UK tourists, as a result of Brexit uncertainty, will not be significant. 

He said losses announced by the big holiday group Thomas Cook, affected bookings and expressed, but the government should offer incentives to the group in order to support the market in Cyprus.

Regarding the Russian market he said that it was affected by the exchange rate and preference for other cheaper destinations in the region.

He pointed out that after the closure of Germania airline there’s a problem with the flight connectivity between Germany and Cyprus and it will take time to find solutions.

However, he said that despite the reduction, arrivals in Cyprus are already very satisfactory.

Stamataris said new measures taken by the Deputy of Ministry of Tourism would take at least six months to show results.