October best month for Paphos hotels in two years

The occupancy rate of Paphos hotels is at 75 per cent this month, the highest for the summers of 2020 and 2021, president of the Paphos Hoteliers Association Thanos Michaelides said on Tuesday.

However, uncertainty prevails for the coming winter season, as well as the following summer due to the coronavirus pandemic and staff shortages.

In his statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Michaelides said occupancy rates of the district’s hotels will average around 75 per cent in October this year, which can be characterised as the best month for the summers of 2020 and 2021.

“The difference now in October has been made by the British market,” Michaelides said.

The association has no information on how the market will develop in the coming months, specifically from November, which signifies the beginning of the winter season, since people tend to make last minute bookings, Michaelides said.

He said that people are worried about another pandemic outbreak and are yet to decide whether to take a vacation.

Hoteliers are also concerned about the winter months, and how the pandemic will develop in the UK, which is one of the main tourist markets, especially during winter.

According to Michaelides, the uncertainty prohibits hotels from pressing ahead with the appropriate planning.

A small number of hotels will remain open over the winter period, but Michaelides did not provide an exact number.

Another major issue for hoteliers is the staff shortages, a problem that is more acute during higher occupancy rates.

He added the tourist product of Cyprus will suffer the consequences if there are not enough employees during the next summer to respond to the customers’ needs.

According to Michaelides, the shortages are recorded since people do not wish to return to work or have found a job outside the hotel industry.