Cyprus tourism minister addresses air connectivity concerns at ITB Berlin

Cyprus Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis concluded a series of meetings at the ITB Berlin travel fair this Thursday. The discussions focused on the impact of regional instability in the Middle East on the island's tourism sector. Koumis engaged with major European tour operators, airline executives, and international officials including Luxembourg’s Tourism Minister Lex Delles and Greece’s Deputy Tourism Minister Anna Karamanli. A primary concern addressed was the recent temporary reduction or cancellation of flights to Cyprus. Koumis stated that the government's top priority is restoring full air connectivity, noting that most European airlines are expected to resume normal operations by Sunday. While airlines based in Middle Eastern countries are still experiencing disruptions, the minister reported that no tour operators have indicated plans to reduce their 2026 programs. He described the situation as a new type of geopolitical challenge and cautioned that it is too early to provide definitive estimates for the 2026 season due to ongoing uncertainty.