The conflict in Israel has negatively impacted the arrival of large cruise ships at the Port of Limassol, but there is still potential for recovery and further growth in this sector. To support this, an Interministerial Committee has been formed to coordinate the development of a National Strategy in collaboration with all stakeholders.
According to DP World Limassol, cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Limassol for 2024 did not fully materialize due to the ongoing geopolitical situation. From the initial 200 bookings, only around 90 arrivals are now expected due to numerous cancellations triggered by the instability in neighboring Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean. However, for 2025, DP World Limassol has already recorded over 145 cruise arrivals for Limassol and is working in alignment with all relevant authorities on recovery actions and effective planning to further develop the sector.
The management of the company operating the Limassol Port passenger terminal remains optimistic about strong recovery prospects for 2025 and 2026 in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The Deputy Minister of Shipping, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, informed “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that authorities are exploring ways to further boost the sector with the establishment of a National Strategy aimed at making Cyprus a year-round destination rather than just a summer one, given that the calm seas around Cyprus allow for cruise activities to continue well beyond the summer season.
The proposal to establish a National Cruise Tourism Strategy for Cyprus was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 9. Ms. Hadjimanolis explained that the initial goal is to map the current state of the sector and then develop a targeted action plan with an implementation timeline.
By the end of February, a thorough assessment will be completed, covering the infrastructure of Cyprus’ ports and marinas and evaluating their capacities. Additionally, passenger embarkation and disembarkation procedures, security measures, and particularly the disembarkation experience will be analyzed to identify better ways and means of transporting passengers, enhancing the overall product offered.
In the second phase, a detailed action plan is to be drawn up by June 2025. According to the Deputy Minister, this plan will include specific actions and initiatives, such as the creation of a promotional network leveraging modern advertising tools and producing new promotional materials. “We have significant cultural heritage in Cyprus, and we must link it with the cruise industry through concrete actions,” Ms. Hadjimanolis highlighted.
The Council of Ministers decided to establish an Interministerial Committee comprising the Ministry of Transport, the Presidency, and the Deputy Ministries of Shipping and Tourism, with coordination led by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping. This Committee will set up a working group with representatives from all relevant parties, which will be responsible for developing the National Strategy. The Committee will work closely with the Cruise Development Committee of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and will remain in contact with all entities involved in the cruise industry. The state bodies, according to the Deputy Minister, are already aware of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber’s opinions, which are considered highly important, and the strategy to be developed will be “practical and actionable, not just on paper,” as she noted.
