Cyprus restaurants and bars report September occupancy above 80 per cent

Nicosia, Cyprus. Restaurants and bars across Cyprus recorded occupancy rates above 80 per cent in September, with Cyprus Hospitality Owners Association (Osika) president Fitos Thrasivoulou expressing satisfaction with business activity and hoping bookings would continue into October.

Business improves after difficult start

Thrasivoulou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that September’s figures were encouraging, with business levels allowing restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments to remain open and meet their financial obligations.

He said the year had initially looked difficult for the sector, but conditions had improved in recent months. Cypriot customers supported business in August, while September also proved a good month, leaving professionals across the sector satisfied with their performance.

The improvement had raised hopes of a further recovery, he said, as the wider tourism and food and drink industries sought to return to more normal levels of activity.

October bookings and flight connections

Looking ahead to October, Thrasivoulou said last-minute bookings were continuing and expressed hope that the trend would persist.

He stressed that maintaining flights to Cyprus was essential to ensure visitors continued arriving on the island.

Extending the tourist season

Extending the tourist season remained a central goal for the sector, Thrasivoulou said. Efforts had been under way for years but had yet to produce substantial changes.

He expressed hope that the deputy tourism ministry and the state would identify suitable measures and incentives to attract visitors from northern European countries during the winter months and strengthen tourism outside the main season.

Turning to the next tourist season, Thrasivoulou said he hoped peace and stability would prevail across the wider region.