The US-Iran war and events in the Middle East, together with the drone attacks on British bases in Cyprus, have sent the country’s tourism revenues into free fall compared with 2025.
Cyprus’s Statistical Service has released the final figures for April 2026, showing a 35.1% drop in revenues compared with the same month in 2025, when there was no conflict or turmoil in the Middle East.
According to the results of the Travellers Survey, tourism revenues in April 2026 amounted to €197.5 million, a decrease of 35.1% compared with the corresponding month of the previous year (€304.2 million).
For the period January-April 2026, tourism revenues are estimated at €443 million, compared with €582.5 million in the same period of 2025, a fall of 23.9%.
Spending breakdown
Per capita tourist spending in April 2026 came to €651.77, compared with €726.42 in April 2025, marking a decrease of 10.3%.
Tourists from the United Kingdom (the largest source market, accounting for 39.2% of all tourists in April 2026) spent an average of €86.43 per day, while Polish tourists (the second-largest source market in that month, with 8.4% of the total) spent an average of €81.89. German tourists (the third-largest market with 8%) spent €85.99 per day.
Deputy Minister of Tourism: ‘April’s decline was expected – the situation has improved’
Commenting on the Statistical Service’s announcement regarding tourism revenues for April 2026, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said, among other things: “The month of April is a continuation of March 2026, a period which, as is well known, was significantly affected by the conflict in the Middle East and its aftermath. The 35.1% decrease in revenues in April 2026 compared with April 2025 was unfortunately expected.
“During April, the so-called ‘Jet Fuel Crisis’ emerged, namely the negative debate surrounding aircraft fuel, focusing mainly on fuel stocks in Europe. This caused tremors in the pan-European tourism economy, bringing additional uncertainty and a slowdown in booking rates across Europe.”
Furthermore, Koumis added: “The government and the Deputy Ministry with primary responsibility took timely action through a series of measures aimed at limiting losses and reversing the negative climate that had developed during that period.
“Dozens of foreign journalists were hosted in Cyprus to convey the true picture of the destination, which is characterised solely by safety, as well as influencers; the Deputy Ministry of Tourism’s promotional activities abroad were stepped up, and special emphasis was urgently placed on strengthening existing strategic partnerships.
“The improvement in tourism performance in the months that followed proves that the measures taken had a positive impact, but above all we are pleased to see the tourism sector back on a stable course.”
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