Newsroom
Cyprus’ hotel industry is facing growing pressure after a wave of booking cancellations for the early spring months, creating uncertainty for hundreds of businesses and their employees.
According to the Director General of the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE), Christos Angelides, reservations for March and April have dropped sharply due to numerous cancellations. At the same time, bookings for the months that follow, beginning in May, are also showing a noticeable decline.
As a result, several hotels that were already operating are expected to suspend their operations during March. Others that had planned to reopen for the new tourist season in April have decided to postpone their opening.
Angelides explained that the problem first appeared in the tourist districts of Paphos and Limassol. However, the slowdown has now spread across the entire island, affecting hotels in all regions.
Industry representatives warn that the consequences could extend beyond the tourism sector itself. Many hotel employees rely on working continuously for at least six months each year in order to qualify for unemployment benefits during the off-season. If the employment period is shortened because hotels close or delay opening, workers may lose that financial support.
To prevent a workforce shortage in the future, PASYXE has asked the relevant government ministries to consider special measures for hotel employees. The association is proposing that unemployment benefits for affected staff be extended so that workers are not forced to leave the sector and seek jobs in other industries.
The issue is believed to impact between 300 and 400 hotels across Cyprus, raising concerns about the stability of employment in the tourism sector if the situation continues.
