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Traveling is definitely back. In Europe in particular, the recovery in travel and tourism over the past year has been exceptional, and there is data to prove it.
New information from Eurostat shows that the number of overnight stays in tourist accommodations exceeded 2.9 billion in 2023 – a new record, exceeding 2019.
And there were two countries in Europe that led the way in terms of their annual tourism growth – and they are both beautiful island paradises.
Malta and Cyprus both recorded growth of more than 20% in the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation in 2023, demonstrating their overall popularity among travellers.
Why have these two countries done so well in the past year? And will this wave of popularity continue in 2024? Here are a few reasons why we think this will be the case…
Sun-drenched and serene
One of the first and most obvious reasons why both Cyprus and Malta are extremely popular among travelers is the excellent climate that they both have.
Located in the far eastern Mediterranean, just south of Turkey’s amazing turquoise coast, Cyprus enjoys long, hot summers with minimal rainfall.
Even in winter, Cyprus is relatively mild, with temperatures around 60F and consistently clear and sunny days.
Malta is located in the central region of the Mediterranean Sea, just off the southern coast of Sicily in Italy. The country also boasts impressive annual weather, with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
Both islands are blessed with beautiful beach destinations with top quality hotels and resorts. Some of the most stunning are Ghajn Tuffieha Bay in Malta and Pissouri Beach in Cyprus.
Great sights and culture
Malta is home to ancient history and megalithic temples in the countryside, while the capital Valletta offers royal palaces, impressive cathedrals and quaint cobbled streets that feel like they belong to Europe, Asia and Africa all at once.
Cyprus is home to even more impressive archaeological sites, such as the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos and St. Hilarion Castle in the north of the island.
Both Malta and Cyprus are strongly influenced by the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean, as well as North Africa, Asia and the Arab world.
Perfect for off-season travel
Although summer is a good time to visit both countries, they are known to be very hot and often crowded in the main beach resorts.
Places like Paphos in Cyprus can become overrun with tourists especially during prime time in mid-summer.
However, due to their great climate and year-round sunshine, both locations are ideal places to visit in the shoulder seasons or even out of season.
You can save big on hotels, food, and excursions if you visit in the fall or winter, and you’ll be less bothered by large crowds.
In the quieter months there are usually still sufficient flights to both countries.
There are no direct flights from the United States, but there are many different one-stop flight options via several other European destinations. Maybe you could turn a trip to Malta or Cyprus into a bigger Euro trip?
They can be budget-friendly
It can be quite expensive to stay at the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts in Malta and Cyprus, but it is possible to visit them both on a modest budget.
Malta is certainly the cheapest of the two countries. According to the latest data from Lonely Planet, you can get a basic hotel room for around $70 per night, while public transportation can cost as little as $2 per trip.
Cyprus is a little more expensive, but you can still manage hotels or Airbnbs for around $100 a night or less, while food here should cost $30-40 for a restaurant meal for two.
Safe and hospitable
Both Malta and Cyprus are established tourist destinations and are very safe places to visit.
The US Department of State ranks both countries at Level 1, which is the safest possible rating, while they both score highly on the most recent Global Peace Index.
Malta is part of the Schengen Area, which allows American travelers to enter without a visa for 90 days.
Although Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen Zone, it is part of the European Union, and Americans are also allowed to enter without a visa for 90 days.
In Malta, English is one of the official languages alongside Maltese. Most people who live here also speak passable Italian, so no matter what, you should be able to communicate with the locals easily.
Both idyllic island states also tend to score well on rankings for solo travelers.
A divided island
One thing you need to know about Cyprus is that the island is divided by what is known as the United Nations Buffer Zone, or Green Line, which separates the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south from the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. TRNC).
The buffer passes through the beautiful city of Nicosia, one of the places where you can cross, but there are a few things you should know:
- The United States Department of State says Americans may only enter and leave the Republic of Cyprus through the airports of Larnaca or Paphos or the seaports of Liamassol, Larnaca and Paphos in the south. It does not recognize the TRNC.
- From the south you can cross the Green Line to visit the TRNC in the north and return, provided you have your passport with you.
- Do not fly to the island at Ercan Airport in the Turkish-controlled north if you plan to visit the south, as you will not be able to cross the Green Line. The Republic of Cyprus does not recognize Ercan’s entry as legal.
- Check out our full explainer article on Cyprus’ unique political situation for more information.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
