Fresh analysis shows cancellations across hotels and short-term rentals reached 40–50 % for March-April, prompting authorities to include targeted tourism measures in an eight-point economic-support package unveiled on 15 April. Under the scheme, the state will subsidise 30 % of employee wages for hotel units operating between 1–30 April and may extend incentives for airlines to protect route connectivity. Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis said bookings "show a trend towards recovery" but conceded that demand for May remains fragile. Industry leaders argue that payroll aid is a lifeline for maintaining skilled staff until confidence rebounds. For mobility managers, the subsidy programme matters because staff accommodation blocks negotiated with hotels often depend on year-round operation. If properties shutter, companies could face higher costs re-housing assignees in serviced apartments. The package dovetails with a wider communications push to correct what officials call “exaggerated” foreign-media coverage linking Cyprus directly to Middle-East hostilities. Whether the measures stem further cancellations will be critical for airlines planning summer schedules and for corporate-travel buyers locking in group rates.
Source: In-Cyprus
