Hoteliers says Larnaca tourism arrivals ‘satisfactory’

Tourist arrivals to Larnaca are satisfactory, particularly given problems plaguing European airports and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a spokesman for the district’s hotel association told the Cyprus News Agency on Thursday.

Marios Polyviou, secretary of the Larnaca branch of Pasyxe said that reservations through to the end of September and the beginning of October and occupancy rates so far are satisfactory given the circumstances.

The main markets are the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, with Polyviou also noting an increase in arrivals from Israel.

“There is an increase from Israel this year, for Cyprus in general but for Larnaca more specifically. From the data regarding bookings at hotels and tourist accommodation in Larnaca we are optimistic that at least up to the end of September, beginning of October, it appears that tourism will be good, provided that the situation remains as it is currently,” he said.

As for the delays at major European airports, Polyviou said that it affects tourist traffic in general and in Larnaca. Looming inconvenience and uncertainty dampen the climate and affects decisions on whether to travel or not, he added.

“It makes sense that someone who knows that they will face a lot of inconvenience with delays, cancellations and rescheduling of flights, phenomena which are widespread in Europe, while there is also an increase in strikes at airports, will have second thoughts about traveling. All these are factors we do not know when and if they will stop, nor to what extent they will affect tourism”, Polyviou said.

The shortage of workers at airports is affecting the entire spectrum of aviation, with travellers to be very careful with their holiday choices, he added.