British Airways has decided to maintain daily direct flights between Gatwick and Paphos throughout the winter. The BA representative and Country Commercial Manager Cyprus emphasized the importance of this strategic decision at a time when the economic crisis is impacting the aviation industry and elaborated on future actions, such as increased promotion of the route and the destination.

(source: www.financialmirror.com, December 23 2008)

Easyjet will start 4 flights from Gatwick to Larnaca next March. Easyjet has already been flying daily from Gatwick to Paphos since a year ago. The airline’s new service to Larnaca will start from March 31st. 

Cyprus Minister of Labor and Social Insurance said a small rise in unemployment is expected in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, noting however that this will not approach the ''dramatic rates'' observed in other European Union member-states. It was mentioned that figures showed that unemployment stood at 3.8% in September 2008 and declined to 3.0% in November.

(source: www.financialmirror.com, December 23 2008)

Cypriot Tourism revenues fell 3.6% in the key holiday sector during the first eleven months of 2008. The deficit in revenues narrowed after tourism receipts in November alone increased 6.8% to Euro 72.4m from Euro 67.8m a year earlier. In the jan-nov period, revenues decreased to Euro 1.74b from Euro 1.80b a year earlier. The average daily spending by tourists was Euro71.3 in November and the average stay was 10.4 days. The biggest spenders were Israeli visitors, splashing out Euro 134.9 a day, followed by the Italians on Euro 121.9. Tourism contributes nearly 15% to Cyprus’ GDP. (source: The Cyprus Weekly December 24-31, 08)