Cyprus hoteliers report gradual improvement in bookings but levels remain below expectations

Nicosia, Cyprus. Bookings for Cyprus hotels are improving gradually, but levels remain below what is expected for this time of year, the chairman of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe), Thanos Michaelides, said on Sunday. He said the outlook for June is similar, while uncertainty remains over the summer months.

Bookings remain below expected levels

Michaelides said bookings are at lower levels than they should be for May, though there has been an improvement compared with March.

He said the same picture is expected for June.

According to Michaelides, bookings for July and August have not recovered the gap caused by the halt in bookings in March. He added that last-minute bookings may still affect the final outcome.

“We need to monitor the situation constantly to have a more correct forecast of how the summer season will develop,” he said.

Israeli market begins to move

Michaelides said the Israeli market is important for Cyprus tourism and is beginning to recover.

“Now the Israeli market is starting to move. We hope that this flow from Israel will continue. It is a market that has quick reflexes and we hope there will be an upward trend,” he said.

Staff pressure in tourism sector

He said the human factor remains central in the tourism industry and described staff as the most important part of the sector.

Michaelides added that the decline in bookings linked to the crisis in the Middle East has created a problem for staff.