Cyprus was once a popular holiday destination but now tourists appear to be turning away from the destination. Cyprus is known for its warm climates, beautiful beaches and rich history, but tourism is tailing off.

According to a report from the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat), Cyprus’ tourism revenue fell in March 2026, dropping by 33.8% year-on-year to €85.6million (£73.8million). Just a year earlier, in March 2025, a revenue of €129.4m (£111.7 million) was recorded. The figures show the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has caused huge problems for the Middle East, with war spilling over to multiple countries in the region.

Not only this but a number of countries outside of the Middle East have also been impacted, with drones entering their airspace or engagements at sea.

For tourists, airspace has been impacted – leaving many holiday-makers looking for a destination which won’t be impacted by flying over or around the area.

The report by Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) uses figures which are based on a passenger survey it conducted.

The survey tracks spending patterns among visitors departing from Larnaca and Paphos airports.

Data also showed a fall in average tourist spending, suggesting that the decline was driven not only by weaker arrivals but also by softer expenditure among those who did travel.

Specifically, the average expenditure per tourist stood at €615.27 (£531.16) in March 2026, compared with €644.65 (£556.53) in March 2025, recording a 4.6% decrease.

Daily spending also fell, reaching €72.38 (£62.49) per day, compared with €89.53 (£77.29) in March 2025, reports Cyprus Mail

The figures also dropped in April with a further decrease seen. The report showed that tourist arrivals fell to 303,031, compared with 418,730 in April 2025, marking a drop of 27.6% year-on-year.

From January to April 2026, arrivals totalled 710,370, down from 865,326 in the corresponding period last year, showing a decline of 17.9%.

On February 28, conflict was sparked across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran, killing the country’s supreme leader.

Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

Fighting escalated quickly, spreading to Lebanon, with casualties and damage mounting on all sides.

One of Europe’s best beaches has been named, and not only does it have vast sand dunes, but it’s also a must-visit for history buffs and animal lovers.

Bolonia, a little-known village in Andalucia is a top Spanish destination is home to a beautiful beach with nearly two-and-a-half miles of white sand, with 30-metre high-sand dunes at one end which sweep down to the sparkling waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. On clear days, you can see across the waters to Morocco as you stand atop the golden dunes.

It’s just over an hour from Gibraltar, which has regular flights to the UK, yet despite its sunny climate this area feels like it’s off-the-beaten-track.

It’s therefore no surprise that the Telegraph named it one of the 40 best beaches in Europe. One unique sight you might spot while you’re sunbathing is a herd of cattle. The beach is famous for its Retinto cattle, who often wander from the nearby hills to walk on the sand. Some tourists have even taken pictures of the cows cheekily taking shade under their brollies.Generally, these cows are friendly and used to people, so you may spot them grazing on dune vegetation or taking a siesta on the sand.

While the waters are clear, they can be choppy due to high winds, so those looking to swim may prefer to head to Baños de Claudia at low tide. These natural sea pools are fed by the ocean, but cut off from the biggest waves, so you can float and relax in these rocky basins.

Close to the beach you’ll find Baelo Claudia, the remains of an ancient Roman town in what used to be Hispania. Dating back as far as the 2nd-century, it was abandoned around the 6th-century after a series of earthquakes, but the ruins of a theatre, basilica, and forum remain, among other interesting ancient structures.

Bolonia itself is a small village that’s mostly hotels, holiday homes, and a handful of restaurants. However, it’s a good starting point to explore the authentic and colourful Andalucian coast. About half-an-hour away is Tarifa, which sits on the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and is one of Spain’s most popular destinations for wind sports from kitesurfing to windsurfing.

From Tarifa, you can also take a day trip to Tangiers in Morocco with the crossing taking just under an hour. Its close proximity to North Africa means you’ll also see lots of Moorish influences in Tarifa itself, in architecture such as the Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, a 10th century fortress, and the Puerta de Jerez arched city gates that lead to the old town, or Casco Antiguo.

Casco Antiguo is a maze of whitewashed buildings and cobbled streets with pops of colour from the swaying palm trees and exotic flowers. Wander these narrow streets and you’ll find rustic restaurants serving authentic Andalucian paella, handmade souvenirs, and traditional local pastries.

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