According to the latest Eurostat data, in the second quarter of 2025, the number of nights spent by travelers in properties rented through online platforms rose by 29% compared to the same period in 2024. This places Cyprus third in the EU, behind only Malta (36%) and Slovakia (29.1%).
For Cyprus’s tourism industry, this is an important indicator of steady recovery after the challenging years of the pandemic and economic fluctuations.
Europe Returns to Travel
Eurostat estimates that in the second quarter of 2025, tourists spent 245.9 million nights in short-term rental accommodations across the EU — an increase of 17.8% year-on-year and 36.8% compared to 2023.
For Cyprus, this marks a clear acceleration: in the first quarter of 2025, the growth was only 8.4%. The surge is attributed to a successful start of the tourist season, an active marketing campaign by the Cyprus Tourism Organization, and an expansion of listings on major platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia.
Leading Destinations in Europe: From the Canaries to Rhodes
According to the Eurostat report, all EU countries recorded growth in short-term rentals during the second quarter of 2025. The trend was observed not only in smaller states but also in Europe’s major tourism destinations.
- Spain reported an increase of 19.7%
- Germany — 19.6%
- France and Greece — 17.8%
- Poland — 17.5%
- Portugal — 16%
- Italy — 15.1%
The most popular regions were the Canary Islands (8.8 million nights), Rhône-Alpes in France (8.1 million), and Andalusia (7.7 million). The top 20 destinations also included regions of Austria, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, and Greece, confirming that tourism recovery in the EU is geographically broad.
Holiday Boom and Seasonal Fluctuations
Eurostat notes that the sharpest rise in demand occurred in April 2025, when the number of nights spent in rented accommodation jumped by 34.3% — a result of the Easter holidays falling in that month.
In May, growth slowed slightly to 5.3%, but accelerated again in June to 18.1% compared to the same months of 2024. These figures indicate that European tourism is recovering steadily, with travel volumes gradually returning to near-record 2019 levels.
Cyprus as a Mediterranean Tourism Hub
Experts note that Cyprus has become one of the most attractive destinations for short-term stays in the Mediterranean. A warm climate, developed infrastructure, improving service quality, and appealing rental conditions make the island increasingly popular among European travelers.
Analysts predict that if the current trend continues, 2025 could become one of the best years for Cypriot tourism in the past decade. The rise of digital rental platforms and flexible travel models like workation (combining work and travel) are further boosting interest in Cyprus among new traveler segments.
Outlook: Sustainable Growth and New Investments
The boom in short-term rentals supports not only the tourism sector, but also real estate, services, and small businesses. Cypriot authorities are already considering new regulations to balance tourist activity with local community interests.
As Eurostat highlights, 2025 has already become a year of strong tourism recovery, with Cyprus playing a key role in this European comeback.