Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ hotel industry is relying on last-minute bookings to ease the impact of a difficult start to the summer season, although reservations remain below the levels hoteliers had expected, according to Cyprus Hoteliers Association chairman Thanos Michaelides.
Michaelides said the sector came under pressure after developments in March caused disruption across tourism, triggering mass cancellations and a sharp slowdown in bookings, particularly for hotels.
Bookings remain below expectations
Speaking on CyBC’s daytime show “Apo Mera se Mera”, Michaelides said cancellation rates have returned to more normal levels and bookings have started to move again at a more satisfactory pace.
He said, however, that the recovery remains fragile and that reservations are still lower than they should be for this point in the season.
Last-minute demand offers some hope
Michaelides said one of the more encouraging signs is the increase in last-minute demand, with bookings now concentrated mainly over the next two months.
He said this gives hoteliers some hope that the rest of the summer could perform better if the trend continues, while cautioning that the sector may not be able to recover the ground already lost.
Focus shifts to limiting losses
Asked whether Cyprus could still match last year’s performance, Michaelides said the more realistic aim is now to reduce the damage.
He said this is important because hotels have only a limited period in which to generate the income needed to sustain them through the year.
