Newsroom
Hotels in Paphos are preparing for a busy Kataklysmos holiday weekend, with occupancy rates expected to climb above 90 percent as many Cypriots choose the coastal city for a short break.
According to Paphos Hoteliers Association President Evripides Loizides, demand for the long weekend is exceptionally strong, and most hotels are already reporting very high booking levels. The holiday period continues to attract domestic travelers looking for a few days away, helping fill rooms across the district.
Even so, the strong performance over the holiday does not change the overall picture of the tourism season. Loizides said the boost from the weekend amounts to only a couple of nights during an entire month and cannot make up for the declines recorded in recent months.
Hotel occupancy in Paphos during May is estimated to be between 20 and 25 percent lower than in May 2025. April produced similar results, with average occupancy down by roughly 27 percent compared with the same period last year.
Part of the decline has been linked to the growing popularity of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. Industry estimates suggest that vacation rentals now account for around 30 to 33 percent of the accommodation market in Paphos. Loizides also pointed to the flow of visitors choosing accommodation in the northern part of Cyprus, which has reduced demand for local hotels.
Looking ahead, early indications for June remain weak. Current booking patterns suggest hotel occupancy could again fall short of last year's levels by about 25 percent.
Hotel operators are increasingly focused on retaining employees. Loizides said that while businesses may be able to absorb the impact of a difficult season, losing experienced staff could create longer-term challenges for the sector.
The decline is also visible among several major tour operators. Jet2 has reported lower arrival numbers through both Larnaca and Paphos airports, with reductions of approximately 20 percent and 14 percent respectively. TUI has also seen fewer travelers than in previous years. Although initial losses were close to 30 percent, the gap has narrowed to roughly 23 to 24 percent.
Among individual source markets, demand from Israel remains subdued. Poland stands out as the only market currently showing continued growth and positive performance during the 2026 tourism season.
