Nicosia is aiming to double its share of the country's tourism balance by 2029, as it records a significant increase in beds and moves towards defining a brand next year. Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos outlines to "P" the tourism plans for the capital, noting that expectations are targeted and realistic. At the same time, the Nicosia Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) is calling for the capital to be promoted separately from the other districts.
"In 2025 we observed an increase in tourism in Nicosia, while per capita spending also increased," says Mr Prountzos. "For the first time we are aiming for a tourism brand for Nicosia, with a core focus on culture, gastronomy, entrepreneurship and universities," he notes, adding that "we are preparing to record the needs, and within 2027 the brand will be defined. The archaeological museum and the prospects it opens up will be taken into account, this will be a significant development once completed."
The investments, the conferences, the museum
According to Mr Prountzos, the number of hotel beds in Nicosia has doubled compared to 2024, due to the operation of Landmark, the investment of the Fattal Hotels Group on Makarios Avenue, and the new boutique hotel on Arnaldas Street, while the opening of the archaeological museum is expected to give a further boost.
Conference tourism is a central pillar of our policy, he stresses, adding that the intention to build a conference centre at SOPAZ is in line with this strategy. "Just as the state has supported other tourist destinations by strengthening their competitive advantages, it should also support Nicosia," he points out.
"We have no illusions that we will become the flagship of Cyprus tourism, we have targeted and realistic expectations. Our realistic goal is to double our share of the tourism balance by the end of 2029," he stresses.
Boost from the award
"Our distinction as the best cultural destination in Europe, achieved through a difficult process based on traveller research, is also an important tool for Nicosia," he points out. According to the mayor, a significant boost also came from the Cyprus Presidency, despite the effects of the geopolitical crisis, through the hosting of high-level guests who, he says, were impressed by the quality, authenticity and history of the city of Nicosia.
Tackling seasonality
According to figures presented by Hermes Airports to ETAP Nicosia and the Municipality of Nicosia, the director/secretary of the board of the Nicosia Region Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP), Sotiris Christoforou, tells "P" that there is an increase in the number of visitors to Nicosia on an annual basis, as well as during the winter period. According to Mr Christoforou, Nicosia absorbs 6% of arrivals annually and 15% during the winter period, stressing that it is the only district that can tackle the significant problem of seasonality facing Cyprus.
According to the latest available figures from the Statistical Service, in 2024, out of the total number of tourists who came to Cyprus, 5.8% stayed in Nicosia, compared to 5.5% in 2023.
An ideal city break destination
According to Mr Christoforou, hotel investments are very large, noting that Nicosia is an ideal city break destination. The number of hotels is increasing, but more importantly, he stresses, the number of available beds is increasing considerably, demonstrating that the capital can host large conference events and other functions. There are significant prospects for opening up specific markets such as France and Poland, he notes.
The archaeological museum is capable of radically changing the tourism landscape, he adds, however concerns are being expressed about the strategic planning for its promotion and implementation. There should be synergies with the private sector, he argues.
"There is a need for Nicosia to be promoted separately from the other districts, a request that has existed for many years," he stresses.
The advantages
The president of the Nicosia district committee of PASYXE (Cyprus Hotel Association), Christiana Iakovidou, told "P" that tourism in Nicosia is more commercial, educational and conference oriented.
Nicosia, she says, has an advantage when it comes to conference tourism, noting that the universities in the city are also among its advantages.
"Ahead of the Cyprus Presidency, hotel businesses proceeded with significant investments in conference facilities in order to meet increased needs," she added.
At the same time, she notes that the operation of the archaeological museum is also expected to provide a boost.
Despite these points, Ms Iakovidou says that tourist arrivals in Nicosia are not reaching 2025 levels, while for 2026 a decrease of around 15% in tourist arrivals to Nicosia is expected, affecting the operation of hotels and related services in other sectors connected to tourism.
As she acknowledges, Nicosia was significantly affected in March due to geopolitical developments, with the cancellation of various conferences.
"We hope that from September onwards, the tourist flow to Nicosia will increase," she points out, expressing the view that "more events should be organised in the capital to draw people towards the centre."
