Cyprus had its best tourism year on record in 2025, with arrivals topping 4.5 million for the first time and revenue climbing sharply, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said on Thursday.
Arrivals reached 4.5 million, up 12.2% on 2024 and 41.6% higher than three years ago, Koumis told a press conference. Tourism revenue for the January–November period — the latest available — rose 15.3% year-on-year and 51.1% over three years, with total receipts for the 2023–2025 period reaching €9.9 billion.
Visitors spent an average of €822 per trip, up from €799 in 2024, while daily spending rose 7.2% to €99.5. The average length of stay dipped 4% to 8.27 days, though total overnight stays are estimated to have reached 18.5 million, up from 17.9 million in 2024, according to preliminary figures.
Tourism’s contribution to GDP rose to 14% in 2025 from 13.1% the previous year. Cyprus’s economy is estimated to have grown 3.75% in 2025, well above the eurozone average of 1.5%, Koumis said.
Cruise tourism was a standout performer, more than doubling to 278,000 passengers from 136,000 in 2024. Agrotourism also grew, with arrivals at rural accommodation exceeding 90,000, up 3% on the year and 40.9% over three years.
Koumis said the focus now shifts from recovery to quality, with 13 incentive schemes running in 2025 — four of them funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan — with total credits estimated at nearly €20 million by the end of the programme. Projects include 153 rural and mountain area revival schemes with a budget of up to €7 million, and upgrades to 48 hotels and accommodation businesses in rural areas worth up to €6.9 million.
The deputy minister also announced the completion of an update to the National Tourism Strategy 2035 and the restart of the tour guide school after a seven-year hiatus.
Looking ahead, Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency in 2026 is expected to bring more than 30,000 delegates, with the sub-ministry coordinating hospitality and excursions for approximately 250 conferences. Cyprus will also submit Council Conclusions on tourism in May 2026.
Memoranda of understanding on tourism were signed with Israel and Saudi Arabia, and early indicators for 2026 were encouraging, Koumis said.
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