Berlin, Germany. Cyprus remains a safe tourism destination despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with industry partners at the ITB Berlin tourism fair.
Outlook for the 2026 season
Koumis said it was too early to make firm estimates for the 2026 tourism season, adding that conflicts of this kind inevitably create uncertainty depending on their duration and escalation. “It is too early for safe estimates. Such conflicts always create uncertainty, which evolves depending on the duration and escalation of tension,” he said.
Confidence among tourism partners
He said Cyprus is facing a geopolitical crisis of a different nature from those it has dealt with in previous years, while discussions with key tourism partners in Berlin suggested that confidence in the destination remains intact.
Air connectivity and flight disruptions
According to Koumis, the temporary reduction or cancellation of some flights in recent days was the main issue raised in meetings with airlines and tour operators, making the restoration of air connectivity the immediate priority. He said the situation is already improving.
“By Sunday, European airlines will be back, although some have already returned. In essence, almost all airlines have returned, with the exception of airlines from Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Tourism programmes and cancellations
Koumis said there were no signs of broader changes to tourism programmes for Cyprus. “It is also very important to emphasise that no tour operator or airline has even considered reducing its programs to our country, an indication that our country remains high on the priorities of both airlines, tour operators, and certainly travelers,” he said.
He said some cancellations have been recorded, but they mainly concern the immediate period and the coming weeks.
How could the restoration of air connectivity affect your travel plans to Cyprus in the coming weeks?