Nicosia, Cyprus. The association of Cyprus tourist enterprises (Stek) renewed calls for a comprehensive overhaul of short-term holiday rental legislation after an Audit Office report identified weaknesses in supervision and enforcement. Separately, more than 200 representatives of Cyprus’ research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem attended The Bash 2026, while Freedom Holding Corp. highlighted Europe’s artificial intelligence potential following an Athens roundtable.
Short-term rental concerns
Stek said the Audit Office’s findings confirmed its long-standing concerns that weaknesses in the supervision and enforcement of online short-term rental platforms pose risks to visitors and Cyprus’ tourism industry.
“The weaknesses in the supervision and control mechanisms for electronic short-term rental platforms constitute a significant risk to the safety of users and may have a direct negative impact on the credibility and quality of Cyprus’ tourism product,” the association said.
Stek stated that it has warned for years that the existing legal framework has serious shortcomings in both its provisions and its implementation and enforcement.
The association said accommodation providers continue to operate and advertise without required licences, while effective inspections remain limited and cooperation among competent authorities is insufficient.
The Bash 2026
More than 200 representatives from Cyprus’ research, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem gathered on Tuesday for The Bash 2026, the Research and Innovation Foundation’s flagship annual networking event.
Held under the theme “Let’s Cheers to Innovation Together!”, the event brought together startups, scaleups, innovative businesses, researchers, academics, investors, business support organisations, public sector representatives and policymakers.
Participants had the opportunity to network, establish new relationships and explore future collaborations.
Opening addresses were delivered by RIF board chairman and Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology Demetris Skourides, RIF director general Theodoros Loukaidis, and Konstantinos Kleovoulou, representing the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.
Artificial intelligence
Freedom Holding Corp. said Europe has a major opportunity to establish itself in the next phase of artificial intelligence following the group’s participation in the 30th Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Athens from July 8 to July 10.