Cyprus tourism revenues plunge 35% as Iran war drives away visitors

Economy iranTop NewsTourismwar Cyprus tourism revenues plunge 35% as Iran war drives away visitors Cyprus Larnaca Tourism Relevant News Cyprus tourism revenues plunge 35% as Iran war drives away visitors 30 June 2026 Half of Cypriots unaware of their digital rights as parliament moves to draft Digital Rights Charter 30 June 2026 Hot and sunny Tuesday with temperatures reaching 39°C inland 30 June 2026 newsroom 30 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus tourism revenues fell 35.1% year-on-year in April 2026, dropping to €197.5 million from €304.2 million in April 2025, as the war in Iran drove visitors away from the island, according to data from the Statistical Service. The decline was driven mainly by a drop in tourist arrivals linked to the conflict and its impact on the wider region, according to the Travellers Survey. The war broke out on February 28, and its immediate effect on Cyprus was felt within days. A drone struck a building on the British Sovereign Base Area on March 2, prompting the US State Department to raise its travel advisory for Cyprus to level three — “reconsider travel” — while several European countries also issued elevated warnings. January and February had both recorded growth, with revenues up 7.8% and 7.0% respectively, before the regional situation began to weigh on travel flows. The downturn set in sharply in March, when revenues fell 33.8% and arrivals dropped 30.7%, and continued into April. For the first four months of 2026, tourism revenues totalled €443.0 million, down from €582.5 million in the same period of 2025, a decline of 23.9%. Since the peak of the disruption, a series of countries have eased their travel guidance for Cyprus. On April 29, nine European countries — Bulgaria, France, Denmark, Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland and Sweden — revised their official travel advisories, removing references that had linked Cyprus to wider Middle East conflict zones, according to published reports. The United States restored Cyprus to its lowest Level 1 advisory on June 1, recommending normal precautions, while the UK Foreign Office also revised its guidance, keeping Cyprus among destinations for which it does not advise against travel and lowering its assessed risk level, though it continues to note that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. Who spent the most? Per capita tourist spending in April stood at €651.77, down 10.3% from April 2025. British tourists remained the largest market with a 39.2% share, spending an average of €86.43 per day. Polish tourists, the second largest market at 8.4%, spent €81.89 per day, while German tourists, with an 8.0% share, spent €85.99 per day. ACTTA president Haris Papacharalambous said pressures on the sector were likely to continue but that declines in arrivals may gradually ease later in 2026. Read more: US and UK declare Cyprus safe destination as travel advisories downgraded Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Half of Cypriots unaware of their digital rights as parliament moves to draft Digital Rights Charter Hot and sunny Tuesday with temperatures reaching 39°C inland ASSERTUS: Paphos’ economic transformation is creating new opportunities for investors and businesses What’s in the deal between Israel and Lebanon? Explainer: What is behind South Africa’s anti-immigrant protests? Two firefighters taken to hospital as Aradippou factory fire rages on Cyprus has strong case to reclaim British Bases territory, bar association says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.