Hoteliers optimistic for 2024, despite low occupancy throughout December

The average occupancy rate for hotels in December is projected to hover between 35 and 40 per cent, according to the director general of the Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe) Philokypros Roussounides.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Thursday, he also added that during the Christmas weekend, the percentage rose to around 55 per cent, anticipating that the same will happen for the New Year’s weekend.

“While the long weekends saw satisfactory rates, the rest of the month recorded relatively lower occupancy,” Roussounides said.

“However, what emerged throughout the past few months is that Cyprus isn’t just a summer destination but also offers year-round tourism opportunities.”

He then added that, despite the loss of the Israeli marker due to the ongoing conflict, hoteliers are still confident that occupancy rates in 2024 will reach the high levels registered this year.

Asked about the reasons behind the lower occupancy rates in December, Roussounides attributed it partially to the reflection of the previous year’s tourism inflow from abroad.

He acknowledged that the long weekends favoured shorter stays mainly booked by locals.

Roussounides said he is in constant communication with President Nikos Christodoulides, as well as the deputy tourism ministry and the labour ministry “to establish the foundations for substantial tourist influx during the winter months.”

He stressed the island’s suitability for year-round tourism, highlighting the developments and investments in the mountainous regions, hotels, infrastructure, squares, restaurants and wineries.

Roussounides added that the mild weather resulted in more demand for mountain resorts.

“Additionally, cities like Paphos and Limassol saw a higher influx of tourists throughout December, as opposed to the Famagusta district, where most hotels remained closed,” he concluded.