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Cyprus still ‘taps into tourists desires’ — Analyst

whatsapp image 2021 08 27 at 12.06.19

What can we expect from Cyprus tourism this year?  Will the current increase in arrivals continue?  What about the winter?

Tourism industry analyst Johanna Bonhill-Smith of GlobalData has some answers.

“Sun and beach holidays were the most typically taken holiday type for global respondents in GlobalData’s consumer survey in third quarter of 2019.  After a year of travel restrictions, the ultimate getaway for many is likely still focused on the ultimate relaxing break – where Cyprus as a prime ‘sun and beach’ destination taps into tourists desires,” Bonhill-Smith told the Cyprus Mail in an interview.

The uncontrolled wildfires raging throughout Turkey and Greece may be urging more tourists across the UK and Russia to seek out Cyprus as their summer getaway destination. Cyprus is also an ideal winter-sun destination, benefitting from holding some of the warmest winters in the Mediterranean part of the EU. Therefore, this could make it the ideal getaway for those seeking a winter break destination leading the gradual growth in bookings. “

Bonhill-Smith notes that Cyprus tourism has been ramping up, with arrivals at about 50 per cent of 2019, and  British and Russian tourists in particular are seeking “the ultimate getaway on the beach.”

Cyprus does have another advantage with its relatively low cost. “GlobalData’s survey found that 23 per cent of global respondents have reduced their household budgets in the past year and 27 per cent have ‘somewhat’ reduced them. Reduced budgets mean less expenditure on recreation affecting the ability to travel. Budget constraints are going to be more important in purchasing travel experiences over the next few years.

But Cyprus has yet to get a significant share of the Asian market, she points out.

“Tourism across Asia holds a large focus on domestic and regional travel. This is despite the fact that willingness to travel to a different continent is high, according to our research. The recovery of travel from this part of the world during this pandemic has been largely focused on these forms of tourism.

China and South Korea for example are considered some of the largest outbound source markets from the APAC market. Both these source markets hold a large domestic industry and outbound travel trends are typically centred on other Asia Pacific destinations.

Related factors here are likely linked to ‘Visiting Friends and Relatives’ (VFR) and leisure. Due to the high prices of Covid-19 testing as a requirement for international travel, tourists from these areas are likely largely traveling for VFR purposes right now.

But Bonhill-Smith believes that, in time, Cyprus will begin attracting tourists from these markets.

“Sun and beach holidays however, are still considered the prime holiday type for these markets. Therefore, as borders begin to open up and travel is more easily accessible, European destinations with a prime sun and beach offering, such as Cyprus may see gradual recovery,” Bonhill-Smith notes.

 

 

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