After the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the attacks on the British bases at Akrotiri in Cyprus, the authorities of the country are worried about possible unpleasant consequences for tourism.

That is why for about two weeks now, both the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, and government ministers have been telling the international media that Cyprus remains a safe country.

Given that in March there were cancellations of bookings made in Cyprus, the country's tourism sector and the relevant authorities are mobilising to send a clear message of safety to tourists.

As industry professionals point out, a comprehensive action mechanism should be put in place within the next few weeks, starting at the highest state level and extending to ministries, diplomatic missions, Hermes, hoteliers and all concerned. The aim is a broad mobilisation that will touch every level of decision making, including local authorities and RTBs, which are invited to actively contribute to the effort to raise awareness and restore the country's image.

In recent statements to Cyprus' state radio, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Coumis, stressed that the priority at the moment is to reshape the image of Cyprus through targeted actions. In this context, the cooperation with a specialised public relations company continues, while contacts with key partners both within and outside the country have been intensified.

At the same time, market developments are closely monitored, with more frequent contacts and information exchange, in order to formulate appropriate response strategies. He stressed that the course of events will largely depend on the duration and intensity of the crisis in the Middle East.

According to information from Cypriot media, however, after the cancellations in March and April, the phenomenon seems to be extending into May, despite the fact that flight activity in Cyprus has returned to normal and no emergency prevention measures are in place.

At the same time, bookings for the summer season are proceeding at a particularly slow pace, which is a matter of great concern, especially given the timing.

Possible tourism support measures and difficulties

As far as possible support measures are concerned, the strengthening of domestic tourism demand is also being considered, with the aim of providing incentives for Cypriots to choose local accommodation during the holiday season.

However, it remains crucial to maintain the flow of tourists from the European market, which is the main pool of visitors for Cyprus. However, the challenge is now more complex than in previous years. Unlike in the period 2022-2023, when the main issue was the loss of the Russian and Ukrainian markets, today the problem extends to the general climate of insecurity affecting the psychology of European travellers. The negative image of the region is acting as a deterrent, making recovery more difficult.

At the same time, the loss of the Israeli market, as well as markets from the Arabian Peninsula, has already been recorded. In an attempt to partially meet demand, the Israeli airline ISSTA has announced the creation of an alternative air link between Jordan and Cyprus.

Specifically, during the Jewish Passover period (30 March - 8 April), there will be daily flights from Aqaba to Paphos, serving travellers looking for short breaks during a period of limited availability of direct flights from Israel.