winter growth — Cyprus tourism must focus on winter growth, according to Charis Papacharalambous, president of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agents of Cyprus (Actta). Speaking at the association’s annual general meeting in Nicosia, he highlighted the need for the travel industry to view winter as a significant growth frontier.
The meeting, which marked Actta’s 70th anniversary, reviewed a year of impressive performance, with tourist arrivals exceeding 4 million in 2024. Notably, 42.5 per cent of these visitors came from the EU, contributing over €3.2 billion to the economy and lifting tourism’s share of GDP above 13 per cent.
Despite these successes, Papacharalambous emphasised that past achievements should not overshadow the industry’s potential. He called for a focus on strategic goals, modern practices, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. “Success should not rest on historic records alone,” he stated.
The president underscored winter tourism as a critical area where Cyprus has not yet fully capitalised. He described it as the sector’s biggest missed opportunity, highlighting underused infrastructure during the off-season. He believes that increasing winter arrivals could significantly boost revenue and stabilise operating costs.
“If we could attract even half the arrivals of our best month during the five winter months, we could see around 650,000 additional visitors and approximately €0.5 billion more in revenue,” he explained. This would represent a 1.6 per cent increase in GDP, achievable without new infrastructure or straining peak-season capacities.
Papacharalambous noted Actta’s collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, stating that targeted proposals have already been submitted under the Strategic Tourism Plan. To further this effort, he proposed forming small, flexible committees to address key weaknesses in the sector and develop practical solutions.
Advocating for modernisation, he stressed the need to update the framework governing transport and tour-guide services, which he believes is outdated and detrimental to service quality. “We are doing well, but there is room for improvement,” he remarked.
With competition in tourism intensifying, he urged all stakeholders to take concrete actions, embrace strategic planning, and invest in enhancing the product and services offered. He also pointed out the record 1.75 million trips made by Cypriot residents in 2025, with Greece being the top destination, accounting for 35 per cent of those journeys.
However, the sector faces challenges, including rapid technological advancements and increasing issues related to illegal outbound travel. Papacharalambous acknowledged that addressing these issues is complex but assured that proposals for new legislation have been prepared, and the association is actively notifying authorities about identified cases.
Actta is committed to updating the regulations surrounding organised travel to ensure consumer protection without imposing unnecessary costs on tour agents. Papacharalambous concluded by reaffirming the importance of recognising tourism as a dynamic industry that requires ongoing adaptation and investment.
