Cyprus ‘very optimistic’ about summer visitor numbers from UK

Cyprus’ deputy minister of tourism expects the destination to achieve strong visitor numbers from the UK this summer, citing strengthening booking numbers after a brief dip linked to the Middle East conflict.

A number of airlines cancelled flights between the UK and Cyprus after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone on March 1 and a further two drones were intercepted the following day.

Costas Koumis said flying programmes were reestablished “after three or four days”, though demand for imminent departures dropped.

“We observed several cancellations for March and April and we did see a slowdown in bookings,” he said.

The destination, which welcomed about 1.4 million UK visitors last year, has already started recovering ground, he added.

“There is an upward trend in bookings now, so I believe we’ll have much better days ahead,” he said.

While Easter demand is still expected to be lower than previous years, Koumis expects the summer season to perform well.

“None of the tour operators or travel agencies have reduced their planned capacity for Cyprus,” he said. “That is very important and shows trust.”

He added: “I’m very optimistic that the upcoming summer will be as successful as previous summers.”

The British warship HMS Dragon arrived in the waters around Cyprus this week, with the Royal Navy saying the destroyer would “play her full part in defending Cyprus and the wider eastern Mediterranean”.

Koumis said the warship’s arrival shows “the trust that Cyprus enjoys”, adding: “It’s part of the support that several countries have offered to Cyprus after the incident.”

He added: “Cyprus is more than a thousand kilometres away from the conflict zone. We’re not part of the problem and we’ve never been part of it – that’s an important fact. Every citizen of the world should know this fact.”

He said there was a strong chance tourism businesses in Cyprus would introduce special offers as the peak season approaches, adding: “Cyprus is considered a value for money destination.”

UK travel agents are due to visit the country in the coming weeks, where Koumis said they would encounter “business as usual”.

He added: “Hotels, restaurants and our award-winning beaches are all open. The local people are ready to provide the best hospitality they can.

“It’s going to be a pleasure for me to see the agents and find out their impression of the island during their visit.”