Cyprus continues to strengthen its position on Europe’s tourism map. According to Eurostat, in the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), 3,104,502 overnight stays were recorded on the island in short-term rental properties booked through online platforms.
These include accommodations that tourists book via popular services such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia. This segment remains one of the fastest-growing in the tourism industry and is having an increasing impact on the country’s economy.
Overall picture in Europe: steady market growth
Statistics show that growth is observed not only in Cyprus but across Europe. In the fourth quarter of 2025 (October to December), 172.3 million overnight stays were recorded in European Union countries in short-term rental properties booked through online services.
This figure is 10.9% higher than in the same period of 2024. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the growth is even more significant, reaching 30.2%. This indicates that tourists are increasingly choosing alternative accommodation options instead of traditional hotels.
For the full year 2025, the total number of overnight stays reached 951.6 million. This is 11.4% higher than in 2024 and 32.4% above the 2023 figures. Thus, the market demonstrates steady growth and is becoming a key segment of European tourism.
Cyprus’s role in the growing tourism market
The figure of 3,104,502 overnight stays in the third quarter of 2025 confirms strong interest in Cyprus as a tourist destination. The summer season traditionally remains the peak period, during which short-term rentals achieve their highest performance.
The growing popularity is explained by several factors. Cyprus offers a favorable climate, developed infrastructure, and relatively affordable prices compared to a number of other European destinations. In addition, tourists are increasingly choosing apartments and villas, which provide more space and flexibility during their stay.
Another driver of growth is the digitalization of the sector. Online platforms simplify the booking process and make the market more transparent for both travelers and property owners.
Which European regions lead in demand
Despite Cyprus’s strong performance, the leading regions in terms of overnight stays remain the largest tourist destinations in Europe. In the third quarter of 2025, the Adriatic Croatia region ranked first with 27.7 million overnight stays.
Second place went to Andalusia in Spain with 19.5 million, while third place was taken by the Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur region in France, with 16.9 million overnight stays.
Interestingly, the 20 most popular tourist regions in Europe are concentrated in just six countries. Six of them are in France, five in Spain, four in Italy, three in Greece, and one each in Portugal and Croatia. This indicates a high concentration of tourist flows in traditionally popular destinations, although Cyprus is gradually strengthening its position and narrowing the gap.
Why short-term rentals continue to grow
The growth of the short-term rental market is linked to changing tourist behavior. More and more travelers are seeking a personalized experience, comfort, and flexibility that are difficult to achieve in traditional hotels.
For Cyprus, this is especially important, as the island is actively developing not only beach tourism but also urban, gastronomic, and family tourism. Short-term rentals help meet demand across different segments and attract a broader audience. An additional factor is the investment appeal of real estate. Property owners increasingly view short-term rentals as a source of stable income, especially during peak seasons.
Market outlook for the coming years
Given current trends, further growth in the short-term rental market can be expected both in Cyprus and across Europe. The figures for 2025 show that demand continues to increase despite economic fluctuations.
For Cyprus, this opens up new opportunities. The development of infrastructure, digital services, and market regulation can further strengthen the country’s position in the tourism sector.
As a result, short-term rentals are becoming not just an alternative to hotels, but a full-fledged part of the tourism economy. And the current figures confirm that Cyprus is confidently moving in this direction.