Nicosia hosts key event as tourism sector gains fresh momentum
As Cypriots gear up for a record-breaking year of travel, the 26th Travel Expo Cyprus kicks off in Nicosia on Friday, April 25, bringing together airlines, tour operators and tourism bodies from across seven countries.
Running until Sunday, the exhibition comes at a time when demand for travel continues to climb, with early forecasts pointing to nearly two million outbound trips in 2025.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, Harris Papacharalambous, president of the Association of Cyprus Travel and Tourist Agents (Actta), said the expo “offers travellers a rare chance to compare packages, talk to professionals, and take advantage of exclusive offers, all in one place”.
“This is the kind of event where people don’t just browse destinations, they book; they get real value,” he said, adding that participants include not only travel agents, but also airlines, hotels, and even embassies.
Among the destinations featured are Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and Switzerland, while Sweden and Finland are represented under the Scandinavian umbrella.
Travellers will also find options for Thailand, Japan, the US, India and Poland.
Visitors can drop in from 4pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 3pm to 9pm on Sunday.
Beyond deals and brochures, the exhibition also emphasises a growing issue in the sector: unlicensed individuals offering travel packages without proper credentials.
“We’re looking closely at how to tackle this. It’s a matter of consumer protection,” Papacharalambous said.
He also urged people to book early, saying that “The later you leave it, the fewer your options – and the higher the price. That’s just how the market works.”
On the governmental side, the official of the deputy minister of Tourism and president of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company (Kea), Annita Demetriadou said Cyprus is on track for a strong year, with over 4 million tourist arrivals and revenues topping €3 billion, a 7.3 per cent increase on last year.
More significantly, she said, the island is seeing visitors year-round now, not just in summer, with more interest in niche experiences and agrotourism.
“It’s not just about beaches anymore. People want something real, and Cyprus delivers that,” she noted.
The ministry will be taking part with its own stand, alongside Kea, to promote domestic getaways, from coastal retreats to rural escapes in the island’s cultural heartland.
Asked whether global tensions are impacting tourism, Papacharalambous said that “Unless something happens on the spot, there’s no real effect. People have learned to live with uncertainty.”
As for rising travel costs, he said any increases are within the usual range of inflation – and clearly not deterring holidaymakers.
“We had 1.7 million trips abroad last year. This year it’s already 1.85 million. We’re closing in on two million in 2025.”
Finally, on the issue of water scarcity and its impact on tourism, Papacharalambous said that “there’s a clear need for a long-term plan”.
