The European Commission's latest report, Transport and Tourism in the European Union: Current Trends and Issues, provides a snapshot of transport and tourism developments across the EU, including Cyprus.
Car use remains dominant
In 2023, private cars accounted for 83.5% of inland passenger transport in Cyprus, compared with an EU average of 82%.
Buses and coaches represented 16.5% of passenger transport in Cyprus, significantly higher than the 8.2% EU average.
Transport emissions above EU average
The report found that transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, including international aviation and maritime fuels, accounted for 37.9% of Cyprus' total emissions in 2023, equivalent to 3.9 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Across the EU, transport accounted for 31% of total emissions, or 1.04 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Road safety and congestion
Cyprus ranked eighth best in the EU for road fatalities per million inhabitants in 2023, recording 36 deaths per million residents.
The country ranked 14th for fatalities per passenger-kilometre travelled, with 46 deaths per 10 billion passenger-kilometres.
However, traffic congestion remained a challenge. Drivers in Cyprus lost an average of 40.2 hours in peak-time traffic during 2023, compared with an EU average of 28.6 hours.
Electric vehicle charging
Under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, Cyprus had a charging-power target of 608 kilowatts, while available charging capacity reached 15,472 kilowatts, according to the report.
Air and sea transport
Larnaca Airport was Cyprus' busiest airport in 2024, handling 8.876 million passengers.
Total passenger traffic through Cypriot airports reached 12.514 million, representing 0.8% of all EU air passengers.
Larnaca also handled 30,600 tonnes of air freight, almost the entire national total of 30,700 tonnes.
In maritime transport, the Port of Limassol was Cyprus' busiest passenger port in 2024, handling 9,000 passengers.
For cargo traffic, Zygi Port ranked first, handling 4.212 million tonnes, or 47% of Cyprus' total port cargo volume of 8.945 million tonnes.
EU tourism reaches record levels
The report says 2025 was a record year for tourism in the EU, with more than 3 billion overnight stays recorded in tourist accommodation.
Spain, France, Germany and Italy together accounted for more than 60% of all overnight stays.
The EU also welcomed 582 million tourist arrivals in 2025, representing 38% of global tourist arrivals, while hotels accounted for 62.5% of overnight stays.
Sustainable tourism strategy
The Commission said its forthcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy will aim to support a competitive, sustainable and inclusive tourism model, strengthen local communities and improve the sector's resilience to future challenges.
Source: CNA
