Cyprus – Where Israeli Hospitality Feels Close

Israel may not have an island of its own, but it has quietly symbolically adopted one. Cyprus, just a short hop across the Mediterranean, has become Israel’s unofficial island getaway. So familiar, it often feels almost domestic. With up to ten flights a day even in winter, Israelis shuttle back and forth year-round for beaches, food, warm hospitality, and the comforting sensation of being abroad without truly leaving home.

To understand this phenomenon, I sought insight from the person who, for my money, knows this story best: Louisa Varaclas, Director of the Israel Office at the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism. With 28 years in her role, she pinpoints the reasons for the surge almost instantly.

“When I started, fewer than 30,000 Israelis visited Cyprus. By 2025, that number had jumped to almost 600,000, not including cruise arrivals,” she says.

“COVID was a pivotal moment,” Varaclas explains. “Israelis are a nation of travelers. Duty-free shopping and discovering new destinations are part of the culture. Cyprus is the closest option, and there’s always the reassurance that it’s easy and affordable to return home quickly if needed.”

That sense of security, she notes, has only deepened in recent years, alongside another important factor.

“Israelis are discovering that Cypriots remain true friends in all circumstances, unlike some destinations that have become less welcoming or riskier. Israeli tourists are highly valued. They consistently choose four- and five-star hotels, spend time in casinos, and contribute significantly through shopping and leisure”, she explains.

As 2026 began, I made my way to the neighboring island myself. Cyprus in winter reveals a slower rhythm. One that allows the island to truly shine.

Aphrodite’s Rock on the beach, a nation symbol, feels especially mythic then. Waves crash harder, and the goddess’s birthplace seems to belong solely to the sea. At Niki’s Sweets Factory in Agros, winter invites lingering over rose-scented spoon sweets. Nearby, the Damascus Rose Factory distills the mountain air into bottles of fragrant rosewater and oils.

In Lefkara, silverwork glints softly in quiet workshops, where the centuries-old lace-making tradition is still sewn by hand. A tasting at the homey Zambartas Wineries becomes a slow, sensory ritual. Rich blends, hushed surroundings, deeply satisfying.

High in the Troodos Mountains, we walked the snow-dusted silence of the seven-kilometer Artemis Trail. Pine trees breathed cold air, and the landscape felt suspended. A winter dream.

Down by the coast, Limassol carries a quiet elegance in winter. Soft sun, crisp sea air, and a calm that finally lets the city breathe. Walking along the rocky, storm-tossed shoreline feels raw and elemental. The wind sharpens, the waves turn fierce, and the mind clears.

Professionally, my curiosity was piqued when I learned that Roni Aloni, Managing Director of the Mediterranean Region at Leonardo/Fattal Hotels, had just received the Award of Excellence from the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association. The honor recognized his outstanding contribution to hospitality and tourism development in the Mediterranean during 2025.

That recognition led me to explore the story behind Leonardo–Fattal Hotels,  the Israeli publicly traded hospitality group whose unprecedented success in Cyprus is impossible to ignore.

I did so while staying at the group’s NYX Hotel Limassol. NYX is Fattal’s lifestyle brand. Urban-design-led hotels that blend contemporary style with vibrant social spaces, music, art, and cosmopolitan energy. The Limassol property, perfectly positioned along the promenade near the lively port, radiates joy. It offers 189 guest rooms, a welcoming lobby, stylish bars and restaurants, and an indulgent breakfast experience. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Mediterranean or the city, elegant furnishings, remote-controlled curtains, marble bathrooms, and generous minibars.

My meeting with Aloni was warm and informal, marked by immediate familiarity. We are hoteliers from the same generation, speaking the same professional language, quickly finding common ground. That ease carried naturally into the conversation.

How did this love story with Cyprus begin?

“About eight years ago,” Aloni explains. “After establishing ourselves in major European cities, we were looking for the next step: Resorts. That’s a completely different world, requiring more complex marketing and operations. Cyprus emerged as a natural choice.

The group identified several locally owned hotels in Paphos that had experienced difficulties and immediately recognized their potential. “We understood that under our brands, these properties could be completely transformed,” he says. “Proximity to Israel and Cyprus’ openness to foreign investment were key factors. We also saw enormous potential in Greece.”

Today, with the group’s brands, like Leonardo, NYX and Limited Edition, Fattal is the largest international hotel chain in Cyprus. The group operates more hotels than renowned global players such as Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, or Wyndham.

Your hotels here feel almost tailor-made for Israeli travelers. Am I right?

Aloni agrees. “It’s about accessibility and flexibility. In a way, we’ve given Israelis another option beyond Eilat. In terms of cost, proximity, and ease, they can now choose. Do they go south to Eilat, or take a short flight to Larnaca or Paphos?

Leonardo Hotels in Cyprus are deliberately segmented: adults-only properties, family resorts, and seasonally adapted concepts. Israelis value personal attention, Hebrew signage, kosher solutions, diverse food offerings and entertainment. That philosophy has even shaped escape rooms, spa experiences, or family lounges – a unique resort model developed specifically for Cyprus.

The standout example is the group’s flagship family resort: Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort, currently its most in-demand property. With 420 rooms, extensive gastronomy, nonstop entertainment, inhouse splash park and a beachfront setting following recent development, it exemplifies the strategy”.

What lies ahead in 2026?

“Holiday culture is growing stronger,” Aloni says. “People increasingly prefer nearby destinations where they feel welcome. Nine Fattal hotels are already operating in Cyprus, with three more set to open soon. Among them: a new resort in Latchi near the Blue Lagoon. A beautiful natural bay with incredibly clear turquoise waters, similar to the Maldives. The hotel will feature 240 suites and a floating water park designed from the ground up for families. A 72-room urban hotel in Nicosia will open this March, followed by NYX Nicosia, a 162-room lifestyle hotel slated for later in the year. Together, these openings reinforce Cyprus’ position as one of the Mediterranean’s most dynamic resort destinations and as a natural second home for Israeli travelers”.

Asked about the Award of Excellence, Aloni is characteristically modest.

“There’s nothing personal about it,” he says. “It’s recognition of the outstanding performance of Leonardo–Fattal Hotels’ leadership and staff in Cyprus and Greece. I’m extremely proud of them.”

Cyprus. An island where Israeli hospitality feels at home. Not only for travelers, but for those who shape the experience itself.