Cyprus is presented as a prime example of tourism resilience and market diversification in a report by Oxford Economics and TOURISE, said the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, on Monday at the opening of an International Development Seminar at The Landmark Hotel in Nicosia.
The seminar, titled “Sustainable Tourism, Youth Employability, and Mobilizing Funding,” was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Francophone Institute for Sustainable Development of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
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In his opening remarks, Mr. Koumis expressed satisfaction with the international recognition of the achievements of the Cypriot tourism sector. As he noted, the report documents how the sector offset the loss of the Russian market and highlights its results for the years 2024 and 2025.
“For us, resilience is not a theoretical concept—it is an integral part of our tourism planning,” he said.
He added that Cyprus managed, following the loss of the large Russian market in 2022, to compensate for it by developing many other geographic markets. He also noted that in 2026, a return to high levels of tourism demand was achieved following the tourism crisis last March.
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The Deputy Minister of Tourism also referred to the package of measures promoted by Cyprus during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026, with a focus on sustainable tourism development.
He noted that Council Conclusions titled “Creating a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism for the Future” were adopted, which link sustainability to competitiveness and highlight resilience to climate change as a prerequisite for the sector’s long-term sustainability.
He also noted that the National Tourism Strategy 2035 lays the groundwork for a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient tourism model, with an emphasis on gradually extending the tourist season and establishing Cyprus as a year-round destination. As he noted, this effort has already begun to pay off, as winter arrivals have increased by more than 20% over the past three years.
As part of the seminar, Cyprus is hosting the “Destination Eco-Talents” for the first time, with the participation of sixty experts from thirty member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie, as well as international development partners.
In closing, Mr. Koumis reiterated Cyprus’s commitment to establishing a tourism model that respects the environment, invests in people, and supports local communities.
Source: CNA
