Tourism Ministry Spending Cut by €15m in 2027

Projected expenditure by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will fall by €14.8 million in 2027, according to provisions in the state budget.

Spending is expected to be limited to €59.45 million, compared with €74.24 million in the 2026 budget.

The significant reduction in expenditure is largely linked to the end of exceptional requirements associated with Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026.

In particular, the allocation for “other operating expenses” will fall to €630,200, from €6.43 million in 2026.

The allocation for promotional campaigns stands at €26.9 million, compared with €27.7 million in 2026.

What the €26.9 million will cover

The €26.9 million allocation is intended to cover:

1. Cooperation with tourism partners abroad, including airlines.

2. Advertising campaigns in priority tourism markets, as defined in the Deputy Ministry's operational plan. This includes advertising across digital and other media, campaigns through online travel agencies (OTAs), outdoor and print advertising, and the production of material required for promotional campaigns.

3. Tourism promotion and information activities abroad and in Cyprus, including:

   a) Promotional and information activities relating to Cyprus as a tourist destination, mainly abroad, either through the Deputy Ministry's overseas offices or through actions organised by its central administration. These include public relations, information and promotional events targeting tourism industry stakeholders and the public.

   b) Promotional activities covering special forms of tourism, including conference, wedding, golf, religious, rural and diving tourism, as well as other specialised sectors. This includes joint advertising initiatives with tour operators and cooperation with organisations, associations and other partners.

   c) General tourism promotion events, including events relating to the Deputy Ministry's schemes and programmes.

4. Cooperation with a public relations agency capable of covering, at a minimum, Cyprus' principal tourism source markets. Its work will include monitoring the international press, securing positive media coverage and developing closer relationships with foreign journalists.

5. Cooperation with international media organisations, aimed at strengthening Cyprus' visibility as a destination through targeted communication campaigns.

6. Expenditure associated with:

   a) Producing appropriate promotional material and model creative content in every available format, covering the broader tourism sector for use in digital and other advertising campaigns. This could include material addressing hospitality, tourism awareness and careers in tourism.

   b) Creating, adapting and distributing the necessary technical material.

   c) Writing texts and other content relating to hospitality, tourism awareness, tourism professions and related subjects.

   d) Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) aimed at increasing the visibility of the Deputy Ministry's digital platforms in search engines.

7. Development and promotion of the “Authentic Routes - Heartland of Legends” programme, including promotional films, photography, banners, flags, posters, competition prizes, the preparation and editing of promotional articles and website content, social media promotion and other advertising campaigns.

8. Revision of the “Aphrodite” Cultural Route, originally created in 2004.

   New archaeological discoveries made since the route was established will be incorporated into the existing programme.

   Its texts will also be simplified and made more descriptive to better respond to the needs of today's tourists.

   Signage and printed materials will be edited and reprinted, while the existing Greek and English texts will also be translated into Italian, French, German and Polish, reflecting the Deputy Ministry's priority markets.

   Audio guides will also be created to improve the experience of individual visitors, while tour guides will receive training to enable them to promote the route to organised groups.

   A promotional video for the route will also be produced for distribution across social media platforms.

9. Information activities relating to employment in the tourism industry, as well as possible awards for businesses and professionals distinguished in specific areas of the tourism sector.

10. Advertising partnerships with organisations directly connected to the tourism product, through joint initiatives primarily involving promotional exchanges.

11. The cost of providing licensed guided tours following requests from government departments, local authorities, schools, higher education institutions, travel agencies, professional associations, airlines, foreign embassies in Cyprus and other organisations.

12. The cost of developing and promoting the Christmas Villages, including purchasing footage and producing promotional videos.

€3.85 million for exhibitions

The allocation for participation in exhibitions will amount to €3.85 million, compared with €3.6 million.

In addition, the budget includes €6.2 million in grants.

Of this:

• €4.5 million will fund various grant and incentive schemes.
• €1.7 million will be used for tourism promotion schemes.