UK advance bookings for 2027 down 20–30%, Cyprus hoteliers warn

Paphos, Cyprus. Advance bookings for 2027 through Britain’s three biggest tour operators are 20–30 per cent below the levels recorded last year, raising renewed concerns for Cyprus’ tourism sector. Paphos hoteliers association president Evripides Loizides called on Tuesday for urgent efforts to improve the island’s promotion overseas.

British market raises concern

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Loizides warned that stronger competition and continuing uncertainty were affecting holiday choices.

Britain remains the island’s leading source market, but economic uncertainty and rising living costs are putting pressure on British households, he said.

Poland also remains a significant market for Paphos, while Israeli visitors have provided important support for the destination this year. Loizides cautioned, however, that Israeli demand depends heavily on developments within Israel and the country’s stability.

Summer losses and competitive pressure

Loizides said summer 2026 had opened strongly before the war and its broader effects disrupted demand, leaving hotels with considerable losses.

Hotel occupancy across the three months of summer and September was about 7 per cent below the equivalent period in 2025.

He said hotels were also facing pressures beyond reduced demand, including growing competition from short-term holiday lets and accommodation in the occupied area.

Late-season improvement contrasts with winter outlook

Despite those difficulties, Loizides said September had performed a little better than a year earlier, while October had brought encouraging indications. The prospects for subsequent months were less positive.

He explained that tourism activity generally starts to ease after November 10, with demand in Cyprus still dropping substantially during winter.

His warning followed official statistics released a day earlier showing that 580,889 tourists arrived in Cyprus during September, up 1.8 per cent from September last year.