one last — Cypriots are keen on squeezing in one last meaningful experience before the year ends, as revealed by a recent Mastercard survey that spans 20 countries, including Cyprus. With 2025 drawing to a close, many individuals are still eager to make the most of the remaining weeks.
The survey, which gathered insights from over 20,000 Europeans, highlights that a significant number of respondents are holding onto unused annual leave and unrealised plans. Notably, 47 per cent of Cypriot participants reported having between 7 to more than 20 days of leave left for the year, with the largest group retaining 7 to 10 days. This puts Cyprus at the forefront, as 69 per cent of its respondents fall into this category, ahead of Switzerland at 56 per cent and Bulgaria at 55 per cent.
As the desire to achieve personal goals persists, a remarkable 71.8 per cent of Cypriots expressed their intention to fit additional experiences into 2025. Among these, 38.2 per cent are focused on completing one key experience, while 33.6 per cent aim to manage several. The outlook varies among individuals, with 34.5 per cent feeling likely to succeed, 26.6 per cent expressing optimism, and 36.7 per cent wanting to achieve their goals but remaining uncertain about their ability to do so.
This enthusiasm transcends age groups, with younger individuals particularly motivated. Among Gen Z, 71.7 per cent reported having unfinished plans, while 74.5 per cent of Millennials echoed the sentiment. Older generations also show similar aspirations, with 61.7 per cent of Gen X and 75 per cent of Baby Boomers expressing a desire to fulfil their goals before the year wraps up. This widespread commitment to seeking experiences marks 2025 as a notable ‘year of experiences’ for Cypriots.
Travel emerges as the top priority, as nearly 39.55 per cent of Cypriot respondents aspire to visit a dream destination. Other popular experiences include trying new outdoor activities (21.73 per cent) and attending a long-desired performance (19.78 per cent). Smaller proportions are interested in major sporting events, top restaurant visits, or exploring Christmas markets.
The survey results resonate across Europe, where travelling to new destinations ranks highest among planned experiences at 40 per cent. Attending long-awaited shows and trying new outdoor activities each feature at 10 per cent, with Christmas market visits also making the list at 9 per cent.
Despite these ambitions, many respondents face challenges in fulfilling their goals for 2025. The primary obstacles include the necessity to save more money (23 per cent), waiting for the ‘right moment’ (13 per cent), and time constraints due to work or family commitments (12 per cent). Additionally, the desire to share these experiences with loved ones often leads to plans being pushed into the final months of the year.
This trend aligns with previous Mastercard research indicating that many individuals prioritised family-oriented experiences throughout 2025. Nevertheless, confidence levels remain high, with over two-thirds of Europeans (67 per cent) believing they will complete at least one planned experience before the year concludes. Just under a third (30 per cent) expressed eagerness but uncertainty regarding their goals.
Optimism is particularly pronounced in Serbia (82 per cent), Sweden (72 per cent), Spain (71 per cent), and France (71 per cent). The survey also highlights changing spending habits, as many Europeans report intentionally reducing non-essential purchases to prioritise experiences.
Approximately 40 per cent are spending less on clothing, 39 per cent are cutting back on dining out, and 38 per cent are reducing expenditure on luxury goods. Additionally, 32 per cent are spending less on gadgets, while 25 per cent are trimming home decor costs. Collectively, these findings suggest that Europeans increasingly regard experiences as a valuable investment, with Mastercard noting that 81 per cent believe money spent on such moments is ‘always or usually worth it.’
