President of the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE), Thanos Michaelides, has stressed the need for enhancing the tourism sector workforce as well as further promoting Cyprus internationally as a tourist destination. He pointed out that these two factors are the key pillars for the sustainable development of tourism in Cyprus in the coming years, expressing optimism about the country's tourism performance in 2026.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Michaelides said that the hotel industry is facing challenges that go beyond national borders, with the most important on being the global shortage of employees.
Employees
He noted, however, that progress has been made in recent years, particularly in the issuance of work permits for employees from third countries, who now constitute the main workforce of this sector.
PASYXE President said that the Association has submitted specific proposals to the Ministry of Labour, aimed not only at facilitating the recruitment of personnel but, more importantly, at ensuring stability for third-country workers, allowing them to be employed in Cyprus on a year-round basis. Such stability, he noted, is crucial for service quality and productivity in the sector.
He also placed particular emphasis on the role of employees as ambassadors of the Cypriot tourism product, underlining that every employee in a hotel unit should be familiar with and experience local culture.
Investments
Referring to government policies, Michaelides said that despite the longstanding recognition of the hotel industry’s contribution to the economy, further investment is required in the international promotion of Cyprus and in improving air connectivity with existing and new markets.
He noted that combining these actions with investments made by hoteliers in their establishments could lead to higher occupancy rates and the attraction of higher-quality visitors.
At the same time, PASYXE President expressed optimism for 2026, estimating that tourism performance will be at least at 2025 levels, with prospects for further improvement, provided stability and strategic planning are maintained.
Concluding, Michaelides said that PASYXE’s vision focuses on attracting higher-quality tourists, achieving year-round operation of hotel units, and promoting balanced tourism development across all regions of Cyprus, with an emphasis on quality, human resources and the country’s comparative advantages.
CNA