Cyprus is expected to welcome more than 10,000 organized Russian travelers this year, according to Attica Holidays.
It is certain that this figure does not represent the tourist flows from Russia that visited Cyprus before, before the Russia-Ukraine war. It is recalled that in 2019, Russians made 782,000 trips to Cyprus, which accounted for a fifth of the total traffic of foreign tourists to the country. Back then, Russia was the second, main, incoming, tourist market on the island after the UK.
According to Attica Holidays representatives, in 2024 the island will host about 8,500 customers of Russian tour operators, of which 70% will be customers of Russian Express, which this year bought exclusive seat packages on Jazeera Airways’ connecting flights Moscow – Kuwait – Larnaca.
The remaining 1,500 Russian visitors will be independent travelers and property owners.
In the absence of a massive flow of organized Russian tourists, Cypriot hotels are trying to attract travelers from markets such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Armenia, Israel and the Nordic countries. But they still cannot replace the spending of Russian travelers.
According to Attica Holidays, Europeans prefer “all-inclusive” packages in Cyprus, meaning they rarely leave their hotels, do not go on excursions and spending on purchases of souvenirs and local products is minimal. “The Russian market with its spending on various destinations on the island, excursions to wineries and monasteries has not yet been replaced by any market,” he said.
Also, with the departure of Russians, the number of tourists visiting Orthodox monasteries in Cyprus has noticeably decreased.
“Despite the provocations, the Russians still appreciate Cyprus. Demand in the organized tourism sector is increasing, as the number of Russian travelers we have already transported to Cyprus this year has exceeded last year’s,” a spokesperson for tour operator Russian Express said.
