Cyprus expects more French tourists in 2027 as airline capacity rises

Paris, France. Cyprus expects a stronger flow of French tourists in 2027 as airlines add capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators at the IFTM Top Resa exhibition.

The projection follows a difficult 2026 for the French market, with arrivals from France declining sharply during the year.

Decline in French arrivals

Arrivals from France fell by 46 per cent in August to 8,453, compared with 15,663 in the same month a year earlier, according to figures released by the Statistical Service, Cystat.

The August total was also almost 50 per cent lower than in August 2024, when Cyprus received 16,798 visitors from France.

Overall, Cyprus recorded 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7 per cent from the corresponding period of 2025.

Meetings with tour operators

Koumis met senior executives from tour operators offering holiday programmes to Cyprus during the Paris exhibition, with discussions focusing on the French market’s recent performance and prospects for 2027.

The Tourism Deputy Ministry said the 2026 decline followed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Plans for 2027

The ministry said a significant increase in French arrivals is expected next year as the number of airline seats available between France and Cyprus rises.

The meetings also addressed efforts by the Cypriot tourism industry to adapt its offering to French visitors’ preferences and promotional activity aimed at strengthening Cyprus’ presence in the market.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that it had re-emerged in Cyprus only a few years ago and retained room for growth.