"There is a possibility of establishing an air connection between Cyprus and India," stated Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, during the 2nd Greece-Cyprus Summit – Advancing Together, co-organized in Nicosia by Invest Cyprus and Boussias Cyprus.

According to the Deputy Minister, for this connectivity to become a reality, it is crucial for the airlines currently in discussions with the ministry to receive and equip the aircraft they have ordered on time.

Mr. Koumis also mentioned that discussions have started regarding direct flights to both China and the United States. However, he clarified that no airline will decide to schedule flights to any destination unless it is assured of profitability or at least has indications pointing in that direction.

The Deputy Minister went on to discuss extending Cyprus' tourism season, noting that October has officially been included as a peak tourist month for 2024. "We have secured October, which is now no different from the summer months. It was the best October ever. We’ve also gained a few weeks in November, just as we have in March. Cyprus is moving forward," he remarked.

Finally, Mr. Koumis touched on the similarities and differences between tourism in Cyprus and Greece. "For both countries, tourism is a vital pillar of economic development. In 2023, tourism contributed over 19% to Greece’s GDP, while in Cyprus, it reached 12.9% in the same year. This figure is expected to rise to 13.5% in 2024," he concluded.