Cypriot hoteliers are in a state of panic as the beautiful island nation grapples to recover its tourism figures after 30,000 holidaymakers look to give it a miss. The island's tourism officials are tallying up the cost of the £30million short-fall due that comes from a lack of visitors, with Cyprus Hoteliers Association president Thanos Michaelides revealing that the tourism sector is set to lose thousands of visitors. A dip in hotel bookings was observed in May, with industry experts cautioning that the year may witness a drop in revenue for businesses reliant on tourism.
He underscored the sector's need to prolong the tourism season and boost year-round hotel operations. The industry faces a significant labour deficit, despite that fact that approximately 53,000 people are employed in the hospitality sector, which makes up 11% of Cyprus's workforce, reports the Express . "This workforce encompasses a diverse array of professionals, from chefs and IT specialists to lawyers and engineers, making the sector a vital component of the national economy and labour market," he said.
However, there are numerous challenges to tackle this year, Michaelides said, which could lead to fewer hotel bookings compared to 2023. "The decrease in hotel occupancy rates can be attributed to several factors," he said. "These include the ongoing Middle East crisis, the continued tension between Russia and Ukraine , a sluggish UK economy, the early occurrence of Catholic Easter in March, and a redu.