Cyprus hotels had a satisfactory summer season, despite challenges

This past summer season was quite satisfactory for hoteliers, where tourist arrivals continued on an upward trajectory despite the many challenges.

In fact, even though the number of overnight hotel stays was down compared to previous years, the local industry still had satisfactory occupancy rates, with some cases reaching 90% capacity.

But as tourism is expected to stabilise, hoteliers have stressed the need for more support to the industry, the ultimate aim being to turn Cyprus into a year-round destination over the next five to seven years.

A review of the summer season

In statements in the September issue of electronic edition Xenodochos, Director General of the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA) Philokypros Roussounides said: “This summer season, with the performance so far, has been quite satisfactory because amidst the many challenges we once again had to deal with – high interest rates, UK recession, war and negative geopolitical developments in the region – we managed to have the same or even slightly improved numbers of tourist arrivals as last year.”

This, he added, “shows the sector’s resilience, and the undisputed need to further support it, through investment – incentives as well as funds to the industry – so that we can remain on these same levels; as it appears that a period of stabilisation is coming, at least in terms of tourism inflow”.

Roussounides continued: “Bookings at our hotels throughout the season were admittedly at quite good levels. Though as a footnote, we must say that the overnight stays are not reflected in the number of arrivals because many opted to stay at short-term rental accommodations, the so-called Airbnb, as well as, sadly, the occupied areas of the island, which took away from this year’s momentum.”

The association has also noticed that the length of tourists’ vacations was shorter this year compared to last, he said.

“Nonetheless, I repeat, we are pleased that during such a year full of challenges, we managed to have these results in our tourist arrivals,” said Roussounides.

Occupancy rates at satisfactory levels

Regarding hotel occupancy rates, the General Director of CHA stated that the average monthly occupancy rates ranged from 60% to 70% from May-June, while from July to August, they ranged between 80% and 90%, with some cases exceeding 90%.

“These occupancy rates were quite satisfactory under the circumstances,” Roussounides pointed out.

“We are hoping – subject to events and developments, due, unfortunately, to the escalation of tension in the region which may affect us – that this year will be just as good as last year, at least, which was in fact our primary objective for the year,” Roussounidess

“We are hoping – subject to events and developments, due, unfortunately, to the escalation of tension in the region which may affect us – that this year will be just as good as last year, at least, which was in fact our primary objective for the year,” Roussounides said.

“It takes cooperation to become a year-round destination”

Asked what incentives he believes should be granted to the tourism and hotel industry, Roussounides these don’t always have to be financial. They could be in the form of facilities and flexibilities to the industry’s businesses, so they can remain open during the winter season and reduce their costs and losses.

He elaborated, “One such example is the five-year training plan that will be announced soon and which we hope will be used by several hoteliers, so that a unit can remain open and at the same time train its staff”.

Though, he admitted, this is not something that can happen from one year to the next, but instead takes a five- to seven-year plan, as well as a joint effort by all stakeholders involved to find more ways to help tourism enterprises – restaurants and so forth – stay open as well, because a hotel can’t stay open by itself; it needs the support from the surrounding businesses.

“And so, in order to achieve the goal of winter tourism, it requires a comprehensive model that brings everyone to the table, with a will and comprehension of the fact that we may face losses for a few years, but these should be seen as an investment,” said Roussounides.

“If, starting from this year, we manage to stay one more week open than the previous year, I am convinced that within five years, we will be talking of our island being a year-round destination,” he added. “We can achieve this while also upgrading our tourism product, as well as developing special forms of tourism, such as enogastronomy, medical, sports, conference and largescale events, which we have seen taking place in our country with beneficial results,” he concluded.