Hotels Record 57% Occupancy in September

Excluding 2023, this represents the highest occupancy in the past five years, though it remains well below the 2015–2019 average of around 64%.

Despite the year-on-year increase in September, occupancy fell sharply compared to August 2025, when the rate was 66.2%, about 14% higher than September. Pre-pandemic September occupancy consistently exceeded 60%, a level that has yet to be restored in the 2020s.

Increase Not Fully Satisfying the Sector

While September 2025 occupancy surpassed 2024 levels, it remained below 2023 figures. Industry sources note that the rate, achieved during the warm summer period, is not considered sufficient to satisfy tourism stakeholders.

September occupancy rates over recent years were: 33.3% in 2021, 55.7% in 2022, 57.3% in 2023, 50.2% in 2024, and 57.1% in 2025. The highest September occupancy in the past decade was 69.5% in 2017, followed by 63.9% in 2019.

Casinos Drive Higher Occupancy

Data indicates that the majority of visitors to the country are casino customers, while non-casino hotels face more challenging conditions. According to the Tourism Planning Department, September 2025 occupancy for casino hotels was 63.6%, compared to 40.5% for non-casino establishments.

Regional Occupancy Rates

By region, Gazimağusa led in September with 71.5% occupancy. The other regions recorded the following rates:

• İskele: 60.5%

• Kyrenia: 55.6%

• Nicosia: 36.6%

• Güzelyurt: 14.1%

• Lefke: 6.7%