Famagusta, Paphos and the mountain villages were the big winners from the busy three-day weekend as Cypriots went on local holidays.

In some areas capacity reached or even surpassed one hundred per cent, according to Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, president of the association of hospitality venues (Osika).

Nicosia saw a major decline in activity as “Nicosians feel that the free Famagusta areas are their second city,” Thrasyvoulou told CNA on Tuesday morning.

Activity decreased by about 20 per cent in Limassol as locals chose to holiday in Paphos and the mountains, while Larnaca carried on as normal.

Even so, Thrasyvoulou warned that the underlying concerns in the sector are set to persist: the pandemic, a lack of foreign tourists and uncertainty over government support.

For its part, the government announced in May a plan to boost domestic tourism by subsidising overnight stays for permanent residents at 171 locations. It is set to run until November 30 but excludes July and August.