Cyprus featured in literary travel, banking growth and maritime policy developments

Larnaca, Cyprus. A seven-night Larnaca retreat inspired by Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees has been listed by National Geographic Traveller UK among seven literary retreats recommended for 2026. Separately, Eurobank reported higher first-half profitability and maritime associations urged the United Nations and IMO to block compulsory fees in the Strait of Hormuz.

Literary retreat in Larnaca

The Cyprus retreat, titled “Fig trees and vine leaves”, appears alongside literary journeys to Provence, Yorkshire, Zermatt, Svalbard, the Nile and Morocco.

Shafak’s 2021 novel moves between Cyprus and London and follows Greek Cypriot Kostas and Turkish Cypriot Defne. Their lives are shaped by the island’s division, loss and inherited memories, while a fig tree is among the book’s narrators.

Guests on the retreat stay at the Josephine Boutique Hotel in central Larnaca, near Finikoudes beach. The hotel has a rooftop swimming pool.

Eurobank results

Eurobank posted net profit attributable to shareholders of €738 million in the first half of 2026, compared with €691 million a year earlier, according to its interim report published on Wednesday. Adjusted net profit rose to €776 million from €711 million.

The banking group cited stronger lending, deposits and capital levels despite a more challenging international environment. It identified Cyprus as one of its three core growth markets.

The bank said Cyprus remained central to its international operations through earnings and the integration of the former Hellenic Bank and insurance businesses, which are expected to generate additional synergies over coming years.

Following the legal mergers between Hellenic Bank and Eurobank Cyprus, and between the former Hellenic Bank and CNP insurance companies during 2025, operational integration is under way to establish unified platforms for the enlarged entities.

Strait of Hormuz fees

Eight leading maritime associations, including the International Chamber of Shipping, whose secretary-general is Cypriot Thomas Kazakos, called on the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation to prevent compulsory tolls or service fees in the Strait of Hormuz.