Dorita Yiannakou
The government and tourism stakeholders are joining forces in a coordinated effort to safeguard Cyprus’ international image, stressing that the country remains safe and that daily life continues under normal conditions.
With the aim of preserving traveler confidence, authorities and industry representatives have launched a damage-control effort to limit the impact on tourism, already assessing losses linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Meeting at Presidential Palace
Tourism officials reviewed the situation during a meeting held at the Presidential Palace, focusing on the effects caused by foreign media reports and online posts, as well as targeted actions to restore Cyprus’ image abroad.
The meeting, chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides and attended by tourism stakeholders alongside the ministers of Transport, Labour and Social Insurance, and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, included an extensive exchange of views and an evaluation of developments to date.
According to information obtained by Kathimerini, participants agreed on joint actions and coordinated messaging aimed primarily at communicating the real picture of Cyprus as a safe, high-quality destination in the region.
International outreach and communication campaign
Contacts with tourism partners in Cyprus and abroad are already underway to clarify the actual situation on the ground and reassure markets that the country remains both safe and attractive for visitors. Particular emphasis is being placed on restoring flight schedules and maintaining market confidence.
At the same time, a communication campaign is being prepared both locally and internationally. Sources say a major international communications organization is expected to design and implement the campaign, which will aim to present the true dimensions of the situation and clearly demonstrate that Cyprus remains a safe tourism destination.
Manageable situation, but challenges ahead
Officials describe the situation as manageable, while acknowledging that the year ahead is likely to be challenging.
At this stage, the summer season is not considered to be at risk, although turbulence remains possible due to the fragile geopolitical environment. Authorities note that certain online posts and international reports have damaged the country’s image without reflecting realities on the ground.
At the same time, officials stress there is no reason for alarmism, but neither is there room for complacency, highlighting the need for a coordinated and immediate response from all stakeholders.
The current priority, they say, is not the introduction of new measures but the restoration of a sense of normality abroad.
Although not formally discussed during the meeting, the possibility of supporting the sustainability of hotel businesses remains on the table if deemed necessary. The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) has already warned that if the crisis persists and impacts intensify, targeted support measures for hotels and the wider tourism sector should be examined without delay to safeguard business viability and protect jobs.
KEVE also stressed the importance of strengthening promotional efforts for Cyprus’ tourism product in international markets and utilizing all available policy tools to stabilize the sector during what it described as a particularly critical period.
Government calls for accurate portrayal abroad
In his opening remarks, President Christodoulides said the meeting was convened to coordinate actions aimed at countering what he described as a “completely inaccurate image” being promoted abroad.
“Cyprus’ tourism sector has proven its resilience over time,” he said, adding that despite current challenges, the country remains “part of the solution, never part of the problem.”
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said all stakeholders share a common commitment to protecting the country’s tourism product.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, he noted that the gradual restoration of airline flight schedules is helping return conditions to normal for the season.
Asked whether an information campaign would be launched, Letymbiotis said everyone, including the media, has a role to play in presenting the real situation.
“When inaccurate reports are reproduced abroad, we must intensify efforts so that real images and real data are what ultimately reach international audiences,” he said.
Cancellations but situation still under control
According to earlier reporting by Kathimerini, coastal regions have seen a wave of cancellations for March and April reaching roughly 30%.
Despite the decline in bookings, hoteliers say they were not particularly surprised, noting that earlier flight cancellations had already signaled a likely drop in accommodation reservations.
So far, they describe the situation as manageable and not severe enough to seriously threaten tourism activity.
Encouraging signs are also emerging. Despite cancellations, new bookings are beginning to appear, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years, mainly for April and May. Industry professionals say this creates cautious optimism that demand could gradually recover if regional conditions stabilize.
Flights returning to normal
Meanwhile, Cyprus’ air connectivity with Europe has largely been restored, airport operator Hermes Airports said in a statement.
Flights temporarily suspended due to developments in the Middle East have resumed in recent days, strengthening connectivity through Larnaca and Paphos airports.
Airlines within the Lufthansa Group, including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Edelweiss and Eurowings, along with British Airways, easyJet and Transavia, have restarted flights to and from Cyprus. Emirates has also resumed its daily Larnaca–Dubai route.
Cautious optimism
Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis told Kathimerini that Cyprus “remains a safe destination” and tourism activity continues without disruption. He added that the restoration of European flight schedules is a key factor in rebuilding market confidence.
The Finance Ministry has also expressed cautious optimism that tourism will continue on a positive trajectory despite concerns. According to ministry sources, no significant impact has yet been recorded in the sector, which accounts for about 7% of Cyprus’ GDP.
The same sources noted that financial reserves are available to support the industry if necessary, as has been done in past crises.
