Booking trends for July are showing more positive signs compared to previous months, though this increase in travel is not enough to offset the losses suffered by the tourism industry.

Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, PASYXE President Thanos Michailidis, outlined the current situation, emphasizing that the cumulative losses since the beginning of the year will be difficult to recoup.

Read more: Tourism: An X-ray of a Season of Challenges

“July is certainly better than May and April were,” said Mr. Michailidis, noting that there is positive momentum, though it remains below desired levels.

As he explained, the industry has not yet reached the levels required to turn a profit, as hoteliers were forced to cut prices to attract guests amid the crisis.

“You can’t suddenly tell your customer, ‘I’m raising my prices because I went through a crisis.’ Prices are locked in,” he pointed out, referring to contracts with travel agents.

As for the profile of tourists, the PASYXE President clarified that it remains at last year’s levels, with a slight trend toward lower spending. The British market remains in the lead, followed by Poland and Germany, while Israel is showing a steady recovery.

When asked about the possibility of extending the tourist season, Mr. Michaelides emphasized that the flight schedule needs to be expanded beyond October, along with a comprehensive upgrade of the tourism product.

“Cyprus cannot be just one province or one city if it is to have year-round tourism. Both the mountains and the beaches must be a distinct tourism product with various facets,” he concluded.