Cyprus records EU’s steepest fall in tourist accommodation stays

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded the EU’s largest decline in tourist accommodation overnight stays during the first half of 2026, with a 7.7 per cent fall compared with the same period in 2025, according to Eurostat.

EU tourism figures

There were 1.321 billion overnight stays in tourist accommodation across the EU between January and June 2026, an increase of 1.7 per cent from 1.299 billion during the first half of 2025.

Cyprus was among nine EU countries that recorded a decline in overnight stays over the period. Romania reported the second-largest decrease, with a 6.7 per cent fall.

The strongest increases were recorded in Ireland, where overnight stays rose by 14.6 per cent. Malta followed with a 9.9 per cent increase, while Slovakia recorded growth of 5.9 per cent.

Dependence on foreign visitors

Despite the decline, Cyprus remained among the EU destinations most dependent on foreign visitors. Non-residents accounted for 92.6 per cent of all overnight stays in Cyprus in the first half of 2026, the second-highest share in the bloc.

Malta recorded the highest proportion of non-resident overnight stays, at 95.2 per cent, followed by Cyprus and Luxembourg, where the share was 87.7 per cent.

Travel disruption

The decrease in tourist overnight stays came as Cyprus was severely affected by the war in Iran, which disrupted travel patterns and weakened demand from key international markets during the period.