Cyprus’ Tourism Industry Takes Huge Hit Since EU’s Ban Of Flights From Russia, Losses €600 million

Cyprus’ tourism industry is taking a huge hit from the lack of Russian and Ukrainian tourists, with an estimated loss of €600 million this year alone.

Cyprus is one of the shortest flights from Russia to any Mediterranean holiday destination.

This made it a popular destination with holidaymakers from both Russia and Ukraine.

But now, thanks to the EU banning flights from Russia, their absence is being sorely felt.

How many tourists from Ukraine and Russia usually visit Cyprus?
In 2019, Russian and Ukrainian tourists accounted for a fifth of all tourists to the island nation. In 2022, the number of arrivals is close to zero.

Businesses are feeling the worst impacts, especially local travel agencies that work with big tour operators focusing on the Russian market. “There are hotels, especially in the Famagusta area, Ayia Napa and Protaras which are suffering mostly because they had the extensive contracts with tour operators from Russia. And they are facing huge difficulties at the moment.” says Haris Loizides, board president of the Cyprus Hotel Association.

Some hotels on Cyprus’ east coast that catered to Russian vacationers are feeling the sting too. “They might not achieve the numbers that they were anticipating, but at least they have some solution with these other markets, especially the European ones,” says Loizides.

But, he says, hotel owners haven’t given up entirely on getting Russian tourists to Cyprus this summer. He says they’re looking into getting them to Cyprus through countries not affected by the flight ban, like Serbia, Georgia and Israel.

“We are maintaining close cooperation with Russian clients and exploring possibilities of getting them into Cyprus through points in Europe or outside Europe, which are not affected by the sanctions,” he says.