Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ hotel industry says recent flight cancellations from the Middle East have not significantly affected tourism, as most visitors arrive from Europe, according to Pasyxe President Thanos Michaelides.
Impact seen as manageable
Michaelides said the situation over the past week was “manageable” and that, based on existing experience, tourism would recover once the crisis ends.
He said Europe remains the main source market for Cypriot tourism and is not currently seeing many flight cancellations, as most cancellations amid tensions with Iran involved routes to or from the Middle East.
Optimism tempered by caution
Michaelides said he was optimistic flights would resume, leading to the return of Israeli tourists, but stressed that such messages should be conveyed cautiously because potential repercussions from a tourism downturn would be grave.
Airport cancellations and market figures
Several flights to and from destinations in the Middle East were cancelled at Larnaca and Paphos airports on Saturday.
Israelis account for 11.40 per cent of arrivals and have recently become the third largest tourist market for Cyprus. Britons account for 22.7 per cent and Polish visitors 13.7 per cent.
Average daily expenditure by Israeli tourists was €168.90, compared with €87.68 for Britons and €82.97 for Polish tourists.
How concerned are you about the impact of further flight cancellations on Cyprus’ tourism arrivals and spending?