Cyprus is making gradual progress toward its strategic goal of becoming a year-round tourist destination, buoyed by local hoteliers who are voluntarily extending their operating seasons.
A number of hotels, primarily in the Ayia Napa and Protaras areas, have committed to staying open for an additional two weeks in 2026—both at the start of the season in March and at the end in November. This move is seen as a critical step in a long-term effort to attract tourists during periods when the country was traditionally considered “closed.”
While the two-week extension may seem small, industry professionals note that achieving the year-round goal requires systematic, multi-year effort to convince tourists, travel agents, and airlines to include Cyprus in new routes. Success also depends on the simultaneous operation of supporting sectors, such as restaurants, transport, and supermarkets.
Upcoming trade show focus
The progress comes as the global tourism industry focuses on the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, one of the world’s two largest travel trade shows. The exhibition, taking place at ExCeL from 4-6 November, will gather approximately 45,000 tourism professionals.
The theme for this year’s WTM is “Redefining travel in a changing world,” reflecting current challenges and opportunities, with sustainability in tourism also a key focus. WTM London and ITB Berlin are considered the leading events for the global travel industry.
For the current season, efforts are underway to keep as many hotels as possible open for the entire month of November, focusing again on the Famagusta district. Mild temperatures in the autumn and spring are considered a strong factor in supporting the tourism extension, especially as the summer months have become increasingly difficult due to extreme heat.
