Jerusalem, Israel. Cyprus and Israel reaffirmed close tourism cooperation during meetings in Israel between Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis and Tourism Minister Haim Katz on the sidelines of the International Tourism Fair IMTM.
Meetings and cooperation agenda
According to an official announcement, Koumis said the goal is to increase arrivals during the winter season and to strengthen tourist flows related to special forms of tourism. During the visit, he also held contacts with strategic partners in a market that has emerged in recent years as one of the most important for Cypriot tourism. Discussions with his Israeli counterpart covered a range of international tourism issues as the two sides examined ways to further deepen cooperation.
Record arrivals and growth in 2025
In 2025, arrivals from Israel exceeded half a million visitors for the first time, reaching 588,000 and placing Israel second only to the United Kingdom among Cyprus’ source markets. This represented an increase of 38.4 per cent compared with 2024 and 112.3 per cent over the 2022–2025 period.
Visitor spending indicators
Israel’s contribution was also reflected in spending, with average expenditure per visitor reaching €682 during the January–November 2025 period. This was up 2.9 per cent year-on-year and 13.4 per cent over three years.
Statements and additional meetings
“The Israeli market remains one of the most important tourism markets in our country. It is a market that has recorded rapid growth in recent years, essentially doubling arrivals in a six-year period,” Koumis said. He added that the goal is to increase arrivals during the winter period and strengthen tourist flows related to special forms of tourism. As part of the visit, Koumis also met the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and gave interviews to Israeli media outlets.
What do you think is the biggest factor behind the growth in arrivals from Israel to Cyprus?
