Soon to be Europe’s largest integrated resort, the world-class development is elevating the island’s offering as an all-season destination

The Republic of Cyprus is well-known for being an attractive tourism destination, welcoming at least four million visitors each year. The island nation enjoys average temperatures of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 93 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, not to mention 300-plus days of sunshine each year. Visitors also value the combination of pristine beaches, stunning mountain terrain, vibrant culture, unique world heritage sites, and a balanced quality of life – all contributing to Cyprus’s strong reputation as a holiday destination. A newcomer to the island’s offerings is City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort that is set to reshape the tourism industry in Cyprus. 

City of Dreams Mediterranean is developed by Melco Resorts & Entertainment (“Melco”), which owns and operates multiple premier integrated resort facilities in Asia. Melco has a knack for transforming the regions it invests in and has big ambitions for Cyprus. It aims to make City of Dreams Mediterranean one of the best entertainment experiences in the Mediterranean region. In fact, it will become the largest integrated destination resort in all of Europe.  

Grant Johnson, Property General Manager of City of Dreams Mediterranean, stated, “Cyprus is a hidden jewel. It receives more sunshine than anywhere else in Europe, and its blue flag beaches and ‘sun and sea’ reputation allows for an excellent base to further grow and develop.” 

Melco strategically selected Cyprus as its first venture in the EU. Johnson sees huge potential in complementing the current national facilities and hopes to position Cyprus as a leading regional tourism destination.

Johnson added, “We are combining electrifying entertainment, award-winning dining, designer-brand shopping, contemporary gaming, and exceptional accommodations. It will encompass a fourteen-story, luxury hotel with over 500 guest rooms and suites, and over 100,000 square feet of space for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). It will be a landmark for the entire region. It is expected to attract an additional 300,000 tourists to Cyprus annually when global travel resumes to pre-COVID-19 levels, and will help the country combat seasonal tourism lulls, making Cyprus a year-round destination.” 

He added, “In Cyprus, the non-gaming side will be predominant, and will be different from our other properties in Asia. In Cyprus, we focused on becoming a leisure destination first, with entertainment, MICE, and luxury hospitality at the epicenter. City of Dreams Mediterranean will have the largest MICE facilities on the island and will be a must-see destination not only for Cyprus, but in and of itself. As the offerings continue to improve, Cyprus will attract new markets and visitors. We see huge opportunities in attracting new visitors from Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East including the Gulf Cooperation Council, and even Israel which is only a 40 minute flight away.” 

Cyprus has a clear strategy on what it wants to achieve, and Cypriots are seeking international partners that align with that vision. Johnson noted, “We are one of the largest private foreign direct investors in Cyprus, and our experience has been nothing but positive. In Cyprus, American business leaders will find a highly educated workforce, a regulated EU legal framework, and a government that is pro-foreign investment.”

In between enjoying the incredible amenities at City of Dreams Mediterranean, visitors can also enjoy soaking up sun on the beach, wine tasting at local vineyards, and tour the three UNESCO World Heritage sites on the island, including the ancient architecture in the city of Paphos, the painted churches in the Troodos region, and the neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia. Travelers can venture further along the historic Heartland of Legends route, offering visitors an opportunity to familiarize themselves with local traditions while roaming across the island’s untouched landscapes.

Savvas Perdios, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for Tourism explained his strategic vision for the future of tourism and its role as a regional hub. He stated, “Cyprus has historically been an attractive location to visit for tourism and business, contributing close to 20% of the country’s GDP. While the sector remains a central pillar of economic development, as the economy shifts, so do our priorities. Vision 2035’s goal for tourism is to surpass pre-pandemic levels, diversify our offerings, attract a wider variety of visitors, and exceed five million arrivals per year, which can equate to USD three billion in local spending.”

However, one of the drawbacks of being a well-established sun and sea destination is the seasonality of incoming visitors. A loss of opportunity occurs during the low season, and combined with a global pandemic such as COVID-19 or erratic regional conflicts, the benefits of being a well-diversified year-round destination cannot be overemphasized. 

Minister Perdios added, “We hope destinations like the Heartland of Legends route and City of Dreams Mediterranean will be part of the solution to battle seasonality. We are now embracing tourism in a more holistic way. We are revamping our tourism industry with large infrastructure including the integrated resort, two large marinas, golf courses, and other special interest products. Another great example of an ongoing infrastructure development project is the 3,000 km Heartland of Legends route, showcasing the authenticity of the nation via a series of genuine local experiences. It passes exclusively through the rural mountains and is curated by people who live in Cyprus. Visitors can make wine, jam or halloumi in Cypriots’ homes and even learn to weave in local handicraft workshops.”

Minister Perdios also highlighted, “Cyprus is perfectly placed to cater to MICE tourism, and in particular, boutique events. The opening later this year of the USD 600 million City of Dreams Mediterranean integrated resort will further boost the tourism potential of Cyprus.”