Cyprus faces licensing crisis as only 100 hotels secure permits ahead of tourist season

Of the 741 tourist units planning to reopen in Cyprus, just 100 have been granted licenses, which is approximately 13.5% of the total.

Data from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism reveals that this licensing gap is widespread across all regions.

Specifically, only 13 of the 253 hotels in Famagusta have been licensed, 20 out of 184 in Paphos, 26 of 114 in Limassol, 22 of 112 in Larnaca, and 19 out of 78 in Nicosia.

In addition, another 15 to 20 units are still in the process of obtaining licenses.

With the aim of reopening all hotels by April 20, 2025—coinciding with both Orthodox and Catholic Easter—the pressure to address this issue is growing.

Meanwhile, a new legislative proposal is being discussed to address the widespread issue of unlicensed hotels.

Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, Disy MP and chairman of the Tourism Committee, is leading efforts to resolve the situation.

A bill introduced last week seeks to extend licensing regulations, offering support to businesses still in the process.

The proposed law, led by Hadjiyiannis, focuses on temporary operating permits to help hotels comply with regulations while ensuring the continued success of Cyprus’ tourism sector.

This legislative initiative is seen as vital to improving safety standards, ensuring compliance, and boosting Cyprus' competitive edge in the global tourism market.

With information from StockWatch.