The updates come just in time for summer and are likely to have a positive impact on Cyprus’ tourism industry. Since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, the country has been experiencing a drop in visitor arrivals.
The outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran at the end of February has had a major impact on the global travel industry, especially for countries in the Middle East. Immediately after the start of the war, both the US and the UK had issued emergency warnings for those travelling to Cyprus, especially following a drone strike at the British military base at Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.
Although on paper, the US and UK travel advisories only concern American and British citizens, their stances are generally seen as important security indicators. Moreover, with the UK accounting for 31.8% of all tourist arrivals on Cyprus in 2025, the impact of the travel advisory was enormous and could be felt throughout Cyprus’ tourism industry.
A positive development for Cyprus’ image as a travel destination is reflected in the updated travel advisories issued by the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) June 2, 2026
The United States has decided to restore Cyprus to the normal travel advisory level, Level 1,…
As other countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Italy had already adapted their advisories, the US and the UK have now followed that example.
Since 1 June 2026, the UK’s foreign travel advice for Cyprus reads as follows.
“Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
British nationals should: read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”; sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts; monitor local and international media for the latest information; sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities; keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.”
Travel Advisory 6/1/2026
— U.S. Embassy Cyprus (@USEmbassyCyprus) June 1, 2026
Cyprus – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions https://t.co/Z3dhzRUxlZ
The US, in its turn, restored Cyprus to Level 1, its lowest travel advisory category, on 1 June 2026. Previously, Washington had categorised Cyprus as a Level 3-destination, advising travellers to reconsider travel given the risk of armed conflict, among other things. As a Level 1 country, however, travellers are advised to exercise normal precautions in Cyprus.
Following the news, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis said the updated travel advice should be considered as a positive development, allowing Cyprus tourism to return to a normal situation after months of uncertainty.
“The British market has long been Cyprus’ largest source of tourists, even though arrivals from the UK recorded a significant decline in the first four months of the year because of developments in Akrotiri,” Koumis told Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC), adding that May had only experienced a small decline in passenger traffic compared to other years.
In a statement shared with local news outlet CyprusMail, the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE) shared that positive outlook.
“This is a significant development, which sends positive messages to the markets, creating more favourable conditions for the rest of the tourist season.”
However, the president of the Association of Cyprus Tourism Enterprises (Stek), Akis Vavlitis, was only moderately optimistic. He expects the real impact of the news or the lack thereof will be clear within two or three weeks, when an eventual spike in bookings will become apparent.
