Many Cypriots are expected to take advantage of the festive season, and particularly the Christmas holidays, to make another trip to various destinations across Europe, despite an increase in air ticket prices compared to last year.

Speaking to OffsiteNews, the Spokesperson of the Association of Travel Agents, Antonis Orthodoxou, said that Greece remains the first and most consistent choice for Cypriots. Athens, Thessaloniki, and Arachova continue to be the most popular destinations.

This is followed by cities in Central Europe, such as Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and London. This year, however, there is also strong interest in Poland, which Mr Orthodoxou attributed to the increased number of Polish tourists visiting Cyprus in 2024, as well as the higher number of available flights.

Regarding travel dates, most Cypriots opted for the three-day Christmas period, namely December 24, 25, and 26. “Most people chose to spend Christmas Day abroad, as the weekend follows December 25. In contrast, although January 1 is a public holiday for most, January 2 falls on a Friday, and many may not be able to take leave,” Mr Orthodoxou explained.

According to Mr Orthodoxou, prices this year have seen a slight increase compared to last year’s festive period. However, he noted that they remain at relatively reasonable levels and do not appear to have discouraged travel, as flights operated by most airlines are fully booked.