Cyprus set for record-breaking French tourist arrivals

Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis on Thursday said that Cyprus is likely to set a new record for tourist arrivals from France.

Speaking during a series of meetings in Paris, where he led the Cypriot delegation at the IFTM 2024 tourism exhibition, Koumis said that Cyprus is poised to surpass last year’s figure of 80,000 French visitors.

According to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Koumis held meetings with key representatives from tourism organisations and airlines operating flights and holiday programmes from France to Cyprus.

During these discussions, the growth of the French tourism market in Cyprus was reviewed, with the possibility of a record-breaking year in 2024.

They also addressed the satisfaction levels of French tourists and efforts by the ministry to promote specialised forms of tourism.

Moreover, as part of Cyprus’ participation in the exhibition, the tourism ministry hosted a breakfast featuring Cypriot delicacies, following the ‘Cyprus Breakfast’ initiative.

Among the attendees were several partners and supporters of Cyprus, including Valerie Boned, president of the French Travel Agents Association, and Laurence Gaborieau, director of the IFTM exhibition.

The IFTM exhibition, one of the largest and most prestigious tourism trade shows, takes place annually in Paris and attracts thousands of professionals from the industry.

This year, the ministry pointed out, the “French market has shown a substantial increase in tourist arrivals to Cyprus, with a 25 per cent rise in the January to August period compared to the same period in 2022″.

It also noted that when compared to 2019, French tourist arrivals have surged by 217 per cent over the same timeframe.

Speaking after his meetings, Koumis commented that the French market had been slow to develop in Cyprus due to a variety of factors.

“The preference of French travellers for French-speaking destinations has historically been the primary reason, coupled with perhaps a lack of focus from the broader tourism sector, despite numerous efforts”, the minister said.

“However, what pleases us now is the notable growth in the past two years, and it seems likely that we will set a new record for arrivals from France this year,” he added.

Koumis highlighted the importance of further analysing the profile of French visitors, noting that recent research shows a strong environmental awareness among French tourists.

“They evaluate destinations based on green practices, and it is vital that we integrate sustainable development into all our activities,” he stated.

Reflecting on the exhibition’s theme, which centred on green transition, Koumis said that this aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable tourism globally.

He mentioned that 50 per cent of French tourists still prioritise sun and sea destinations, while there is a rising trend of French travellers seeking lesser-known destinations.

Looking ahead to next year, Koumis stressed the goal of maintaining this year’s high performance in the French market.

“At the same time, it is crucial to consider the evolving profile of French tourists and their growing focus on sustainability,” he concluded.