Cyprus’s mountain communities are on a growth trajectory, yet they remain confronted with significant challenges as increased weekend visitor numbers are not enough to sustainably support the local economy.
Despite high demand due to Christmas villages and the general upgrade of the tourism product, accommodation remains nearly empty on weekdays.
The lack of organised promotion, absence of transport connectivity and staffing problems hamper efforts to establish the mountains as a complete tourist destination.
At the same time, the government is pushing forward a series of actions from infrastructure upgrades to creating an information platform and new transfer stations, aiming to make mountain Cyprus accessible, functional and attractive to foreign visitors.
“80% occupancy at weekends, zero on weekdays”
Speaking to Phileleftheros, Andreas Mandalas, chairman of the Mountain Resorts Committee of PASYXE, said there are bookings mainly on Friday and Saturday. “Christmas villages boost bookings and help to some extent,” he said.
He stressed that all accommodation in the mountains is nearly full at weekends. He added that Kakopetria attracts more students with the excursions they make every year, whilst Kyperounta, Agros and Pedoulas attract everyone else.
However, he noted that weekday traffic is nearly zero, something that concerns the local community. “The occupancy rate at weekends is 80%-85%. On weekdays, very large hotels may have rates up to 30%.”
“Tourist agencies don’t promote the mountains”
Asked whether any effort is being made to attract tourists to visit and stay in the mountains, he replied that “unfortunately, tourist agencies don’t promote tourists to the mountains. Their base, as well as their buses for excursions, is in the cities”.
He stressed that tourists who visit the mountains come individually with rental vehicles. “Some hotels accept groups of tourists, but for up to two days”.
Additionally, he mentioned there is an issue with Paphos airport, as it is not feasible to visit the mountains. “There are no buses to bring them. They can only visit Troodos and Platres.”
He pointed out that they require that Kakopetria, Kyperounta and Agros be included in tourist line plans or in OSEL and EMEL company buses. “They promised they would look at it. We are awaiting their answers”.
He also said more promotion is needed from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for mountain resorts. “They must help us find staff and facilitate us with visas.” As he explained, there is a staff shortage, whilst workers from third countries need some training before they start work.
Government actions
The Commissioner for Mountainous Communities, Charalambos Christofinas, spoke to Phileleftheros about the government’s efforts to establish mountain areas as a tourist destination easily accessible to foreign tourists.
As he explained, Christmas villages represent huge capital for the mountains. “Visitor numbers increase significantly and it is an institution judged as extremely successful, as it helps the economy of mountain communities in multiple ways.” He added that beyond visitor numbers and accommodation stays, there is also product production by producers.
He pointed out that beyond Christmas villages, there are plans from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to upgrade tourist accommodation in mountain areas. “They concern small hotels, restaurants or even craft production points. Local companies like Troodos and Limassol Development handle them”.
He noted a special scheme has also been announced for fire-affected areas, which will subsidise beneficiaries for stays in accommodation in these areas in 2026. “It is a special scheme for cheap accommodation in affected communities”.
Efforts to increase tourist flow
Asked about planning to attract tourists from abroad, he replied it is a huge issue. “Following our request, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has signed for the creation of an electronic platform to inform foreign visitors. Signatures with the contractor have been completed, and the Deputy Ministry is proceeding with the platform’s implementation with a time horizon before next summer”.
He added that religious tourism represents capital for mountain areas, as visitors from abroad come to Cyprus to see UNESCO monuments. “Cyprus has 10 monuments, and they are all in the Troodos area”.
As he said, monuments now operate with specific hours, and necessary interventions have been made for hygiene infrastructure. The government subsidises managers and covers the salaries of employees trained by the Department of Antiquities for guided tours.
Creating stations for area connectivity
A necessary prerequisite for promoting mountain communities is connectivity with mass transport. As Christofinas explained, a scheme has been announced to create a transfer station in Saitas.
“Something similar is being planned for Nicosia, so there is connectivity between communities”. He stressed that a foreign visitor will not come to the mountains to stay five days in one community, so transport is needed to visit others.
The plan provides for connectivity with the two airports and the port, with a central station in Saitas. A temporary space is currently being located until completion of the project, which is expected in 2026, whilst another year will be needed for implementation.
The station will have a small café, an information station and parking spaces for private vehicles and buses. For Nicosia, a space in the Evrychou area is being examined so that the two provinces are connected.
Boost from alternative tourism forms
Another initiative concerns creating a Sommelier School in Vouni, where there is already an agreement with TEPAK, and the space has been completed.
The area has 37 wineries, making it necessary to exploit this advantage, as many visit Cyprus for wine and wine-producing routes. In this context, actions such as conferences and tasting workshops are proposed.
At the same time, it was emphasised that Cyprus can showcase alternative tourism forms, as in Troodos there are hundreds of nature trails, cycling routes, climbing points and accommodation offering related services.