Paphos Tourism: seasonality and transport remain key challenges

Paphos ETAP Executive Director Nasos Hadjigeorgiou told the Cyprus News Agency that the main problem for the region’s tourism sector remains pronounced seasonality, for which no comprehensive and systematic approach has yet been developed by the responsible authorities.

He also highlighted the insufficiently developed public transport system, especially connections between cities and rural areas, as one of the most acute issues. According to him, this problem has negatively affected regional tourism for decades.

Other major challenges identified by Hadjigeorgiou include:

• labor shortages;
• water resource scarcity;
• uneven quality of tourist services;
• low digital literacy among some tourism operators;
• high business operating costs;
• decline and depopulation of rural areas;
• aging hotel and urban infrastructure, especially in inland areas and the Polis Chrysochous district.

He also mentioned unregulated short-term rental development, which affects the balance and sustainability of the tourism ecosystem.

In response, ETAP Paphos actively develops winter tourism products related to nature, sports, culture, and themed tourism.

Special focus is given to digital development, thematic specialization, and shaping Paphos as a year-round tourist destination. Targeted digital promotion of Paphos on key foreign markets is also underway.

According to Hadjigeorgiou, Paphos remains one of the most popular destinations among permanent residents of Cyprus, who are an important factor in regional sustainability.

ETAP implements annual campaigns promoting both the destination as a whole and individual communities and routes.

As part of this strategy, networks of villages and tourist experiences are being created, including areas such as Akamas, Laona, Pithi, Panagia, Salamiou, and others. Wine, nature, and cultural routes are being developed, along with themed festivals, workshops, and active digital modernization of rural areas.

Looking ahead, Hadjigeorgiou emphasized that Paphos has been developing for over 15 years within a clear strategic vision — to become a high-quality, sustainable, and multi-faceted tourist destination.

By 2030, the goal is for Paphos to be established as one of the leading “smart,” green, and cultural tourism centers in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a tourist season lasting 11–12 months per year.

Priorities for the coming years include:

• further reduction of seasonality;
• increase in per-tourist spending;
• curbing population outflow to cities;
• boosting tourist flows to rural areas;
• improvement of air connectivity;
• implementation of key infrastructure projects, including Paphos Airport, marina, road projects, Akamas Park, and coastal protection.

In conclusion, Hadjigeorgiou noted that Paphos’ development is based on a modern model of sustainable, digital, and multifunctional tourism, deeply connected with local communities, making it competitive not only today but also in the long term.