Nicosia, Cyprus. Hotel bookings in Cyprus are gradually improving after months of disruption linked to the crisis in the Middle East, but the sector is still facing an average loss of around 20 per cent for the rest of the season, according to the president of the hotel managers association.
Bookings show gradual improvement
Christos Angelides said the wave of cancellations recorded over the past two to three months had stopped, while the flow of bookings had improved in the immediate period and, gradually, for the rest of the season.
He told the Cyprus News Agency that bookings had not yet reached a level that could offset previous cancellations and secure a strong year.
Efforts to reverse the decline
Angelides said hotels and tourism businesses were trying to reverse the decline through better prices and advertising, including offers aimed at the domestic market.
He said air fares and accommodation costs in other destinations had also risen, adding that destinations previously considered cheaper than Cyprus no longer were.
Domestic market and travel costs
Angelides said that although travelling abroad remained attractive for many people, more Cypriots were expected to take their financial situation into account before deciding on holidays overseas.
Flights and regional tensions
Asked about flight cancellations and route changes by airlines, Angelides said these had taken place, largely due to higher aviation fuel prices.
He said he was hopeful that, if regional tensions ease, fuel prices and air fares would fall, supporting a better autumn and possibly winter season.
Israeli tourism begins to recover
Angelides said tourism from Israel had started to recover after falling to almost zero for around two to three months.
He said daily arrivals from Israel were improving and that even short two- or three-day stays would help Cyprus’ tourism recover.
Season challenges and service quality
Angelides said last-minute bookings were already helping and could continue to support the sector during the remainder of the season.
At the same time, he stressed that the quality of services must not be affected under any circumstances.
He said the sector had two main challenges: managing the loss of hotel occupancy recorded in March, April and May, and avoiding undermining what Cyprus has built over the years as a quality and pleasant destination.
