Pafos aims to strengthen its status as a tourist destination, as it tries to tap into the Central European market during the autumn/winter tourist season.
According to philenews, local entrepreneurs say that the city is gearing up for a thriving winter season, after initiatives to diversify its tourism promotion which was predominantly directed towards the United Kingdom.
The influx of tourists from the United Kingdom and several Central European countries to Pafos is anticipated to maintain robust levels throughout the winter and the upcoming months. Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Baltic states, alongside Southern European nations like France and Italy to a lesser extent, are increasingly becoming pivotal players in the region’s tourism landscape, boasting a year-round steady stream of visitors.
The driving force behind this surge in visitors from the central European region is Ryanair’s flight programme, local tourism stakeholders note. The low-cost carrier has connected Pafos with numerous airports in these countries throughout the year.
According to data, arrivals from Poland have soared from 80,000 in 2019 to 120,000 last year, with projections indicating even higher numbers this year. During the winter season of 2022-2023, Ryanair operated a minimum of 12 flights per week from five Polish airports.
Additionally, an enhanced flight programme has been announced for this summer, featuring over 14 flights per week from six Polish airports.