Cyprus wants more German tourists

Cyprus wants to see the return of Germany as a major tourist supplier to the island, with the junior minister in charge saying the increase of flights and seat capacity all bode very well for the next few years.

With total arrivals reaching 112,100 in January, up 27.4% from 87,961 in the same month last year, Cyprus tourism could see a new record this year, surpassing the 2024 high of 4.04 mln and improving on the previous high of 3.97 mln holidaymakers in 2019.

According to the national statistical service Cystat, in January alone, Germany supplied 4,114 vacationers, up 39% from the 2,952 who visited in January 2024, and improving on the January 2023 figure of 3,897 arrivals.

Austria also saw an increase in arrivals, according to Cystat, with 1,126 holidaymakers in January this year, up 35% from 832 in January last year, and 624 in the first month of 2023.

Speaking after his return from the ITB 2025 tourism fair in Berlin, Deputy Minister for Tourism Costas Koumis said that from all the meetings with travel industry leaders, “the German market is expected to continue to grow in 2025, due to a notable increase in the number of airline seats.”

“Last year, Germany’s share of holidaymakers was 5.7%, corresponding to 228,000 tourists, the best performance by this particular market since 1997,” Koumis said.

“We are extremely optimistic about ensuring the upward trajectory of the German market. The air connection with Germany has improved, with flights from ten different cities, and the increase in seats offered by 9% compared to the previous year, without including charter flights.”

Officials from the deputy ministry also held meetings with specialists looking to organise events in Cyprus, or specialised tourism programmes. For example, the Austrian pensioners’ associations are expected to host their annual meetings in Cyprus in 2026 and 2027, usually with the participation of more than 1,500 people in each case, especially at the beginning of the tourist season.