Michaelides stated that early bookings for 2025 are showing stronger interest compared to the same period in 2024.
He explained that “while 2024 was considered a good year, the first half experienced sluggish booking activity from Cyprus’ key markets“.
“However”, he continued, “this was offset by improved bookings in the second half”.
In this context, Michaelides expressed satisfaction with the better booking trends for 2025.
Drousiotis said that boosting tourism during March, April, November, and December is a “primary focus for the district“.
Outlining Etap’s priorities for 2025, Drousiotis focused on the importance of enhancing the tourism product and visitor experiences, advancing digitalisation, and integrating new technologies to provide better information and services.
Additionally, he said that the board “will continue its intensive marketing and public relations campaigns, both domestically and internationally, to promote Paphos as a premier tourist destination”.
Speaking at the 12th Banking Forum and Fintech Expo on Thursday, Patsalides said that “by embracing the digital economy, ensuring robust governance, and addressing climate change, we are positioning Cyprus as a forward-looking financial hub in Europe“.
“Together, we will navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future, ensuring stability and prosperity for all,” he added.
This was further underlined in Patsalides’ opening remarks, where he said the CBC’s agenda “focuses on embracing digital transformation, ensuring robust governance, addressing societal and environmental challenges, and safeguarding financial stability”.
On the first day of her visit, Hadjimanolis chaired the initial regular meeting of the advisory committee for strengthening the competitiveness and quality of the Cyprus flag.
The committee deliberated on innovative strategies to attract more ships to the Cyprus Registry amid escalating challenges within the global shipping industry.
“The ongoing efforts to bolster our maritime registry are crucial in ensuring Cyprus remains a top-tier maritime hub,” Hadjimanolis said.
E.V.H. Investments Ltd has been steadily increasing its stake in the company, aiming for a potential full acquisition.
The company confirmed that no adverse effects on its operations or interests would arise if E.V.H. proceeds with a public offer to acquire up to 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Salamis Tours.
In a statement released this week, the company’s board of directors sought to ease staff concerns over these developments.
The board clarified that, based on the public offer document, E.V.H. Investments’ strategic plans are solely focused on acquiring control of Salamis for investment purposes.
The agency explained that its projections are based on a positive trend in unemployment and Cyprus’ strong fiscal performance in recent years, despite challenges in the country’s service-based economy.
According to DBRS, Cyprus is set to sustain strong economic growth driven by improvements in employment and government financial health.
The agency, drawing on data from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), notes a persistent downward trend in non-performing loans (NPLs), which decreased from 43.7 per cent at the end of 2017 to 6.8 per cent in August 2024, marking a significant reduction of €18.9 billion in absolute terms.
The survey, conducted annually since 2005, aligns with a relevant EU regulation, which requires implementation by all EU member states.
“The main objective of the survey is to collect longitudinal data on households in order to study the living conditions of the population with respect to their income at the European and national level,” Cystat said in its announcement.
The survey will include 5,000 households from both urban and rural areas of Cyprus.
The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) ended Thursday, January 16, with gains.
The general Cyprus Stock Market Index stood at 226.58 points at 13:07, reflecting a rise of 0.37 per cent.
The FTSE / CySE 20 Index was at 137.89 points, representing an increase of 0.36 per cent.
The total value of transactions came up to €288,146, until the aforementioned time during trading.
In terms of the sub-indexes, the main and alternative indexes rose by 0.43 per cent and 0.02 per cent respectively. The investment firm index fell by 0.54 per cent while the hotel index remained unchanged.
The biggest investment interest was attracted by the Bank of Cyprus (+1.66 per cent), Demetra (-0.55 per cent), Logicom (+0.54 per cent), Salamis Tours (-0.47 per cent), and Hellenic Bank (no change).
