In October, Cyprus' hotel occupancy rates soared to 85%, according to Thanos Michaelides, President of the Pancyprian Hotel Association. Michaelides attributed this significant upsurge partly to the school holidays in England, which spurred travel to the island.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Michaelides noted a contrasting trend for the winter months. From November through March, he anticipates a marked decrease in tourist arrivals, which will correspond with lowered hotel rates. The number of hotels remaining open during the winter season remains uncertain. Michaelides emphasized that while there may be plenty of available beds, the lack of variety in accommodation types—from budget to luxury—presents a challenge.

“A diverse destination like Cyprus should offer everything from three-star to five-star hotels, both small and large,” Michaelides said. He stressed the importance of giving tourists a range of choices to enhance their experience.

Michaelides also highlighted the strategic benefits of keeping more hotels operational during the off-peak winter season. An active winter tourism industry not only enriches the early spring months of March and April—key transition times into the summer season—but also boosts profits in November, marking the end of the summer season.

The President of the Pancyprian Hotel Association called for a revised program to support the employment in the hospitality sector, advocating for strategies that favor job retention over unemployment. This approach aims to ensure year-round employment stability in the industry and to preserve skills and expertise.

Furthermore, Michaelides pointed out the need for the government to update and revise existing programs, which were effective the previous year but now require modernization. He urged for a swift change and public announcement of the revised program to the tourism markets, informing travel agents that more Cypriot hotels will be operational during winter. Building a sustainable tourist flow in winter takes time, and unfortunately, he noted, the revised programs are still pending as of November this year.