Israel may not call an island its own, yet it has quietly found one to love. Just across the Mediterranean, sovereign Cyprus has evolved into Israel’s unofficial island retreat. So close and familiar it often feels less like a foreign destination and more like an extension of home. Even in winter, with as many as 10 daily flights, Israelis travel back and forth year-round, drawn by the beaches, the food, the warmth of the welcome, and the reassuring feeling of being abroad without ever straying too far.
To understand how Cyprus became such a natural choice for Israeli travelers, I turned to someone who has watched this relationship grow from the inside: Louisa Varaclas, director of the Israel Office at the Cyprus Tourism Ministry. With nearly three decades in the role, she needs only moments to explain the shift.
“When I began 28 years ago, fewer than 30,000 Israelis visited Cyprus each year,” she said. “By 2025, that number had climbed to nearly 600,000, not including cruise passengers.”
According to Varaclas, the pandemic marked a turning point. “Israelis are natural travelers. Shopping at duty-free and exploring new destinations are part of the national DNA. Cyprus offers the closest escape, and there is always the comfort of knowing that returning home quickly is simple and affordable if necessary.”
That sense of ease, she added, has grown stronger in recent years, reinforced by another crucial element. “Israelis have discovered that Cypriots remain genuine friends, regardless of circumstances. While some destinations have become less welcoming or more uncertain, Cyprus continues to embrace Israeli visitors. They are appreciated guests – choosing high-end hotels, enjoying casinos, shopping, and contributing significantly to the local economy.”
As 2026 began, I crossed the water myself. Winter reveals a quieter Cyprus, one that unfolds slowly and gracefully.
On the shoreline, Aphrodite’s Rock, a national emblem, feels especially timeless. Winter seas crash with greater force, and the legendary birthplace of the goddess seems claimed entirely by the elements.
In the village of Agros, Niki’s Sweets Factory becomes an invitation to linger. Spoon sweets infused with rose scent feel perfectly matched to the season. Nearby, the Damascus Rose Factory captures the mountain air in delicate bottles of rosewater and essential oils.
In Lefarka, the soft gleam of silverwork reflects from hushed workshops, where the intricate lace-making tradition has been passed down by hand for centuries.
At Zambartas Wineries, tasting becomes a slow, immersive ritual. Layered wines, subdued surroundings, and a sense of quiet indulgence.
High in the Troodos Mountains, we walked the seven-kilometer Artemis Trail, dusted with snow and wrapped in silence. Pine forests exhaled crisp air, and the landscape felt momentarily suspended. A winter reverie.
Along the coast, Limassol takes on a restrained elegance in winter. Gentle sunlight, cool sea air, and a quiet calm allow the city to breathe again. Walking beside storm-shaped rocks, the experience feels elemental: sharp wind, powerful waves, and the rare clarity of mind that follows. Thirty-five years ago, I arrived here as a student, stepping off a boat after nine long nighttime hours at sea, a sleeping bag my only shelter on deck. Limassol then was something else entirely. Today, it has transformed into a vibrant, attractive modern metropolis. It is budding, confident, and unmistakably changed.
However, from a hospitality perspective, my interest was piqued by the recent recognition of Roni Aloni, managing director of the Mediterranean region at Leonardo/Fattal Hotels, who received an award of excellence from the Cyprus Hotel Managers Association in 2025 for his contributions to hospitality and tourism development. That honor led me to explore the remarkable rise of Leonardo–Fattal Hotels, the Israeli publicly traded hospitality group whose success in Cyprus has reshaped the local landscape.
I did so while staying at NYX Hotel Limassol, one of the group’s standout properties. NYX is Fattal’s lifestyle brand. These hotels are urban design-driven hotels infused with music, art, social energy, and contemporary flair. Positioned along Limassol’s promenade near the bustling port, NYX radiates vitality.
The hotel features 189 rooms, a lively lobby, stylish bars and restaurants, and an indulgent breakfast offering. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the Mediterranean or the city, while interiors combine elegant furnishings, marble bathrooms, smart-controlled curtains, and generously stocked minibars.
My meeting with Aloni was informal and instantly familiar. As hoteliers from the same generation, we spoke the same professional language, finding common ground with ease. A tone that carried naturally through our conversation.
So how did this connection with Cyprus begin?
“About eight years ago,” Aloni said. “After establishing ourselves in major European cities, we looked toward resorts. A more complex world requires different operational and marketing expertise. Cyprus felt like a natural progression.”
“The group identified several locally owned hotels in Paphos that were struggling but full of potential. We knew that under our brands, these properties could be completely reimagined,” he said. “Proximity to Israel and Cyprus’s openness to international investment played a key role, alongside early recognition of Greece’s promise as a parallel market.”
Today, through brands such as Leonardo Hotels, NYX Hotels, and Limited Edition by Leonardo Hotels, Fattal stands as the largest international hotel operator in Cyprus. The group operates more hotels on the neighboring islands than renowned global players such as Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, or Wyndham.
Your hotels seem almost designed with Israeli travelers in mind – is that intentional?
“Absolutely,” Aloni said. “It comes down to accessibility and choice. In many ways, Cyprus has become an alternative to Eilat. Israelis now decide: do we drive South, or take a short flight to Larnaca or Paphos?”
“The group’s Cypriot portfolio is carefully segmented: adults-only retreats, family resorts, and seasonally tailored concepts. Attention to Israeli preferences is evident in Hebrew signage, kosher solutions, diverse culinary offerings, and entertainment. This approach even extends to escape rooms, spa experiences, and family lounges – a resort model developed specifically for Cyprus.”
“The clearest expression of this strategy is Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort, the group’s flagship family destination and most sought-after property. With 420 rooms, extensive dining, continuous entertainment, an in-house splash park, and a prime beachfront location following recent upgrades, it encapsulates the vision.
Will expansion continue in 2026?
“Holiday culture is only growing stronger,” Aloni noted. “People increasingly choose nearby destinations where they feel comfortable and welcomed.”
“Nine Fattal hotels are already operating in Cyprus, with three additional openings on the horizon. These include a new family resort in Latchi near the Blue Lagoon – a pristine bay with turquoise waters reminiscent of the Maldives, featuring 240 suites and a purpose-built floating water park. A 72-room urban hotel in Nicosia is set to open this March, followed later in the year by NYX Nicosia, a 162-room lifestyle hotel. Together, these projects reinforce Cyprus’ position as one of the Mediterranean’s most dynamic resort destinations and as a natural second home for Israeli travelers.”
When asked about his award of excellence, Aloni remained characteristically understated.
“This isn’t about me,” he said. “It reflects the exceptional work of the leadership teams and staff of Leonardo-Fattal Hotels here. I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Cyprus is an island where Israeli hospitality feels entirely at home. Not only for those who visit, but apparently for those shaping the experience itself.
The writer is the Travel Flash Tips publisher.