Larnaca has concluded its best tourism year in recent history and is preparing for the next, which is expected to maintain high momentum, boosted by the added bonus of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
“In 2025, we had a large increase from the markets of Israel, Poland, and Germany, while there was a smaller increase from Britain,” Marios Polyviou, President of the Larnaca Branch of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (PASYX E), told Phileleftheros. He indicated optimism for the current year. “The indications are positive, although it is premature to draw firm conclusions at this time. However, there is interest and reservations, and it appears that 2026 will also be a good year for tourism.”
Following the year’s trend, December operated at higher levels than 2024, with most hotels recording occupancy rates that reached 70%. “The traffic was satisfactory, particularly in the days leading up to 2026. We also had Cypriots who came to Larnaca this year due to the hotel New Year’s Eve parties, which are always helpful,” Polyviou noted, adding that there were also many tourists in the city. “We have flows mainly from Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Britain, and Israel,” he noted.
Developments and Future Prospects
Larnaca’s stakeholders are currently preparing for major international tourism fairs. PASYX E and the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) will attend the Berlin exhibition in March, which, along with the London fair, is one of the largest. Foreign marketing campaigns via social media will also continue.
The addition of two new hotel units in 2026 is considered highly significant. These include a boutique hotel in the city centre, specifically in the Agios Lazaros area, and the luxury Palm Beach resort. The latter, which will cost €100 million and is expected to be completed in October 2026, according to the company.
The Palm Beach development is a mixed-use project comprising a five-star hotel, luxurious ground-floor owner-occupied residences, an apartment tower, catering areas, entertainment venues, a wellness centre, modern conference facilities, and an underground parking area. The five-star hotel will feature 164 rooms, while part of the development will be the “Waterfront Residence,” a four-storey building with 20 apartments. The investment also includes the “Seabreeze” tower, a ten-storey apartment building situated behind the hotel, and “The Beach House Residences,” which will consist of luxury villas.
According to data from the Larnaca District Self-Government Organisation (EOAL), processed by the local ETAP, another 27 tourism units (mostly building conversions) are expected to be added to the city’s and district’s portfolio in the coming years. These new tourism units, along with the two aforementioned hotels, will add approximately 900 beds to the Larnaca district.