Limassol visitor numbers hold steady, Famagusta hoteliers seek state aid

Cyprus tourism is facing a split start to the season as Limassol maintains steady visitor flows despite regional tensions, while hoteliers in Famagusta seek emergency state support to counter a wave of cancellations and weak bookings.

In the first instance, visitor numbers in Limassol have so far held up despite the tension in the wider region, with tourism bodies saying Cyprus continues to be regarded as a safe and dependable destination.

That was the main message from a meeting between the Limassol regional tourism board (Etap), the Limassol hoteliers association (Pasyxe) and the association of Cyprus tourist enterprises (Stek).

The meeting reviewed the impact of developments in the wider region on tourism and also discussed ways to further upgrade Limassol’s tourism product.

According to the announcement, the meeting was attended by Etap president and Limassol chamber of commerce and industry (Evel) president Andreas Tsouloftas, Limassol Pasyxe chairman Christos Tsanos and Stek representative Rebecca Pieridou.

Tsouloftas said Cyprus remains “a stable and safe destination” for visitors, while Etap is closely and continuously monitoring developments in the region and any impact on the tourism sector.

He added that the board remains in constant contact with the deputy tourism ministry and sector bodies, noting that coordination is vital to ensuring the stability and resilience of Limassol’s tourism product.

Tsanos said the city’s hotel sector is closely monitoring international developments, but noted that demand has so far remained at stable levels, with only minor variations compared with last year.

He added that Cyprus continues to be considered “a safe and reliable tourist destination”, while the quality of services offered by Limassol hotels strengthens visitor confidence.

Despite the broader concern caused by international developments, tourist flows to Cyprus and Limassol are continuing normally, he said, adding that a coordinated effort by the tourism sector and the state is crucial to maintaining the country’s positive image in international markets.

Pieridou said “any losses in the current period are expected to be recovered in the coming months, particularly in the run-up to the Easter holidays.”

In its announcement, the Limassol tourism board stressed the importance of composure, cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders to safeguard the resilience of the tourism sector and maintain Limassol’s image as a safe and quality destination.

It further stated that Limassol’s promotional activity in international markets is continuing as normal, as part of efforts to keep demand steady in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus hoteliers’ association (Pasyxe) is pressing the government to keep unemployment support in place for hotel employees in the Famagusta district who may not return to work immediately, as weak bookings and mounting cancellations continue to cloud the start of the tourist season.

According to a report in Politis, reservations for March and April in the district are running well below the levels recorded a year earlier, while incoming bookings remain too limited to make up for the losses.

Some concern is also starting to appear over May, although, for now, the picture for the summer months remains less severe.

The downturn is adding to worries across an area heavily dependent on tourism. In the Famagusta district, where a large part of the local workforce relies on hotels and related businesses, any prolonged drop in visitor numbers is expected to hit not only accommodation providers but also the wider local economy.

Despite the difficult climate, there is so far no move by hoteliers to postpone the reopening of their units.

The report added that most hotels in the district’s tourist resorts are still expected to open in late March or early April.

The difficulty, however, is that several are likely to resume operations with reduced occupancy and, inevitably, fewer staff.

Famagusta hoteliers association president Panayiotis Constantinou told Politis that Pasyxe is trying to secure an extension of unemployment benefit payments until the end of April for workers who cannot be rehired straight away.

“Our hotels will need the support of the state, because they will reopen with reduced occupancy than they initially estimated, before the war broke out in the Middle East,” he said.

He added that most units would be forced to start the season with reduced staffing, which is why the sector is asking for support to continue for those who are not employed immediately.

“If this is achieved, it will be a significant boost for hoteliers, so that they can cope with this difficult period we are going through with cancellations of reservations and reduced occupancy rates,” Constantinou said.

He also expressed the hope that “the situation would improve by the summer and gradually return to normal.”