Nicosia, Cyprus. Russian ambassador to Cyprus Murat Zyazikov said European Union sanctions have caused Cyprus to lose more than €1 billion in annual revenue due to the absence of Russian tourists. He said the island remains a popular destination for Russian citizens despite the lack of direct flights.
Claimed economic impact from loss of Russian tourism
Zyazikov said in comments to Russian news agency TASS that “the loss of the Russian tourism market due to European Union restrictions has caused losses in Cyprus of more than €1 billion annually, according to experts.”
Businesses and residents said to want return of direct flights
He said tourists from the Russian Federation “continue to be eagerly awaited in Cyprus,” adding that hotel owners, restaurant operators and other businesses in the services sector and leisure industry “sincerely wish for the return of a large flow of Russian tourists.”
Zyazikov also said that both native Cypriots and “more than 150,000” Russians living on the island hope that direct flights between Cyprus and Russian cities will resume, leading to a return of an intensive flow of Russian tourists.
Rising Russian arrivals despite lack of direct connections
Zyazikov said that even under current conditions without direct flights, Cyprus remains attractive to Russian visitors and “continues to attract a growing number of visitors” from Russia.
He cited tourism statistics indicating that 48,000 Russians visited Cyprus for tourism purposes in 2024, rising to more than 64,000 in 2025, and said expert estimates predict a further increase in arrivals this year.
How do you think the absence of direct flights affects tourism demand in Cyprus?
