Speaking on the sidelines of the TUI Cyprus Marathon in Paphos on Sunday 8 March, Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis moved to calm industry nerves, telling reporters that the arrival of more than 2,500 overseas runners for the event proved “business as usual” for Cyprus’s visitor economy.
Koumis acknowledged that forward bookings for June and beyond have weakened since hostilities between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran erupted on 28 February, but stressed that no tour operators have so far pulled summer programmes. “Cyprus is not a party to the conflict and there is no intelligence indicating the island is a target,” he said.
![Tourism Chief Insists Cyprus ‘Remains Safe’ Despite Regional War and Booking Dip]()
The minister’s remarks follow a U.S. State Department upgrade of Cyprus to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) and a similar caution from several European foreign ministries. Hoteliers report isolated cancellations, primarily from U.S. and Asian markets, yet occupancy for Easter week still stands above 70 percent.
Industry lobby PASYXE has requested a short-term marketing fund to reassure key source markets and is urging airlines to maintain capacity to Paphos and Larnaca to avoid a self-fulfilling downturn. The government is considering a waiver on landing fees for additional intra-EU flights if bookings slide further.
For global-mobility teams, the message is mixed: day-to-day life on the island remains normal and events are proceeding, but the risk picture is fluid and corporates should continue to reference government advisories and ensure travellers have flexible tickets.
Koumis acknowledged that forward bookings for June and beyond have weakened since hostilities between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran erupted on 28 February, but stressed that no tour operators have so far pulled summer programmes. “Cyprus is not a party to the conflict and there is no intelligence indicating the island is a target,” he said.
The minister’s remarks follow a U.S. State Department upgrade of Cyprus to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) and a similar caution from several European foreign ministries. Hoteliers report isolated cancellations, primarily from U.S. and Asian markets, yet occupancy for Easter week still stands above 70 percent.
Industry lobby PASYXE has requested a short-term marketing fund to reassure key source markets and is urging airlines to maintain capacity to Paphos and Larnaca to avoid a self-fulfilling downturn. The government is considering a waiver on landing fees for additional intra-EU flights if bookings slide further.
For global-mobility teams, the message is mixed: day-to-day life on the island remains normal and events are proceeding, but the risk picture is fluid and corporates should continue to reference government advisories and ensure travellers have flexible tickets.
Source: In-Cyprus
