Cyprus sees surge in Russian tourism despite sanctions

Cyprus is witnessing a promising increase in Russian and Russian-speaking tourists despite the European Union's sanctions following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which led to the suspension of direct flights between Cyprus and Russian airports. According to the specialized tourism press and independent sources, over 20,000 Russian tourists arrived in Cyprus by the end of June, a figure expected to surpass 65,000 by autumn, exceeding last year's total.

Armenia and Serbia have become key transit points for flights between Russia and Cyprus since 2022. These airports have set records as major connecting hubs for Russian travelers, with flights now commonly routing through these countries due to the EU sanctions affecting direct routes.

For decades, Russian tourists, alongside British visitors, were crucial to Cyprus' tourism industry, with record arrivals in 2017 and 2019. In 2017, the number of Russian tourists peaked at 781,856, and in 2019, amidst the highest overall tourist arrivals of 4 million, Russians also numbered 781,856. However, the Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions disrupted these trends by limiting direct flight availability. Nonetheless, Cyprus' resilient tourism sector remains attractive to Russian tourists, bolstered by available flights via non-EU countries and the resurgence of charter flights.

By November 2023, official figures indicate nearly 61,796 Russian tourists visiting Cyprus. This optimism is shared by both the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance. With 20,000 arrivals by June and a predicted increase throughout the season, the total is set to exceed last year's figures. Russian media report over 15,000 bookings through August, with additional trips through Turkey to the occupied areas of Cyprus, reflecting a trend of increased travel to these regions due to Western economic sanctions.

Armenian and Serbian airports are prominent as transit hubs for Russian flights to Cyprus, offering the most practical and cost-effective routes. Russian booking sites highlight these connections, with low-cost carriers and flights from Egypt, Qatar, and Lebanon also contributing. New low-cost airlines are expected to operate up to two charter flights per week in July and August, potentially bringing over 5,000 Russian tourists to Cyprus. According to Russian tourism sites, Limassol and Paphos are the main destinations for these visitors, benefiting from the large Russian community residing in Cyprus.

[Summary of Yiannis Ioannou's original story in Greek published in Kathimerini's Cyprus edition]