City of Dreams Mediterranean
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City of Dreams Mediterranean, which hosted over three million visitors last year in a particularly profitable period, had from the very beginning a mission identical to that of the main players in Cypriot tourism, points out General Property Manager of City of Dreams Mediterranean Grant Johnson: “to enrich Cyprus’ tourism offering, to extend the season, and to attract new audiences.”

In a recent interview with IN Business magazine, Johnson provided examples of ideas that have become actions and suggested ways of implementing other related goals, noting, "Maintaining a positive image and increasing visitor arrivals requires a collaborative, forward-looking approach between tourism stakeholders, including local authorities, and the central government."

2024 was one of the best years for tourism, with arrivals exceeding 4 million and revenues reaching €3.2 billion. How was this experience for hoteliers and how do you foresee the continuation of 2025?

Last year was indeed an excellent year for Cypriot tourism, with a positive impact on the hotel sector. The high tourist traffic coupled with strong consumer confidence created the right conditions for high occupancy and increased demand across the hospitality sector.

At City of Dreams Mediterranean, we welcomed over 3 million visitors to the property in 2024. We saw robust demand from our traditional markets while interest in entertainment was also boosted.

As far as 2025 is concerned, we are optimistic that the year will outpace 2024 based on bookings for the year.

What has been the contribution of hoteliers in attracting record numbers of tourist arrivals? How do you promote your hotel/s abroad?

From day one, our mission has been clear: to enrich Cyprus’ tourism offering, to extend the season, and to attract new audiences from Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Through our "Sunshine Guaranteed" campaign, our global PR and influencer partnerships, and strong ties with international media, we’ve helped shine a spotlight on Cyprus—not just as a destination, but as a world-class experience.

To us, City of Dreams Mediterranean is more than a resort – it is a platform for sharing Cyprus with the world.

Which markets do your hotel guests come from, and which category do they fall into? Has the gap in the Russian market been filled?

City of Dreams Mediterranean has managed to attract visitors from every corner of the globe, with the majority coming from Europe and the Middle East. The resort attracts visitors, including families, and conventioneers, who wish to experience high-end leisure and entertainment experiences on offer.

What are the main trends in the tourism/hotel industry and how are customer preferences shaped? What are your hotel customers looking for nowadays?

Cyprus has long been known for its postcard-perfect summers: golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a warm Mediterranean sun. However, a lot of travellers nowadays visit countries for history and culture, for authentic food and wine, for wellness, events, and adventure. There is also a trend towards high-end, all-inclusive resorts, as visitors enjoy the convenience of having all facilities in one place.

City of Dreams Mediterranean offers a wide range of premium experiences to meet the needs of a diverse audience—from concerts and spectacular shows to tours to places of historic and cultural importance – seeking to tap into new consumer groups and contribute towards establishing Cyprus as a year-round destination.

What steps need to be taken by hoteliers in cooperation with tourism stakeholders to maintain this positive image and why not, to increase arrivals further? How do you invest in your hotel?

Maintaining a positive image and increasing visitor arrivals requires a collaborative, forward-looking approach between tourism stakeholders, including local authorities, and the central government.

I think continuing to address seasonality should be our strategic priority. We must work collectively to extend the tourism season through targeted promotions, partnerships with airlines and tour operators, and by hosting off-season events, conferences, and cultural experiences that attract a broader demographic.

Another area that is coming into sharper focus is sustainable tourism. Today’s travellers are increasingly conscious of their environmental and social impact. By integrating eco-friendly practices—such as energy-efficient operations, water conservation, waste reduction, and sourcing locally—we not only protect the environment but also align our brand with the values of modern guests. This balanced approach will help stabilise employment, ensure product quality, and support the local economy year-round.

What are your forecasts for 2026? Do you already have a picture?

Our immediate focus is on the upcoming winter season, where we aim to highlight the vibrant, all-year-round appeal of Cyprus through our signature “Sunshine Guarantee” and specially curated excursion programme. These initiatives are designed to showcase the island’s unique blend of mild Mediterranean climate, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage — even during the cooler months.

Guests at City of Dreams Mediterranean can look forward to an elevated entertainment calendar featuring world-class performances and unforgettable moments. From spectacular live concerts by international and local artists to dazzling shows, festive celebrations, there’s something for everyone.

https://www.cbn.com.cy/article/118279/grant-johnson-continuing-to-address-seasonality-should-be-our-strategic-priority-we-must-work-collectively-to-extend-the-tourism-season

City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other Fourth Quarter Results

The Company operates three satellite casinos in Cyprus in conjunction with City of Dreams Mediterranean.

Total operating revenues at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 were US$59.2 million, compared with US$47.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the continued ramp up of operations following the opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean in mid-2023, which led to a better performance in the mass market segment and non-gaming operations.

Rolling chip volume was US$5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 versus US$6.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The rolling chip win rate was 3.06% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with negative 8.85% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85%-3.15%.

Mass market table games drop was US$126.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with US$87.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 21.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 22.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Gaming machine handle for the fourth quarter of 2024 was US$567.3 million, compared with US$492.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 5.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024 versus 5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other in the fourth quarter of 2024 was US$19.4 million, compared with US$13.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

https://ir.melco-resorts.com/news-releases/news-release-details/melco-announces-unaudited-fourth-quarter-2024-earnings

At the end of 2023, the casino had to dismiss 181 employees four months after its grand opening.
The conflicts in Russia's war in Ukraine, ensuing sanctions, and the recent war in Israel further exacerbated the hurdles faced by the mega-project. The decline in casino traffic, attributed to the loss of tourists from Russian and Israeli markets, prompted the company to issue a statement acknowledging the necessity of difficult decisions.

However, since February 2024, they are on the recovery path after a recent slowdown due to the Gaza-Israel conflict, with business volumes in both its casino and hotel showing strong growth.

Source: https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/business/city-of-dreams-mediterranean-faces-bumpy-start-with-181-job-losses
Source: https://cdcgaming.com/brief/cyprus-melcos-city-of-dreams-mediterranean-integrated-resort-busy-as-impact-of-israel-conflict-abates/

Check out this timelapse for City of Dreams Mediterranean!

Guest images from the open casino and hotel.





Source: Google Images

The official opening is 10th July but you can already stay at the hotel, they are taking bookings now on the official website .




Source: https://www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy/en

Did it already open? Official opening date is July 10th, but you can already book a room at the resort.

Any pictures of the casino floor? Should be one of the biggest and best in Europe then!

Melco Resorts & Entertainment is pleased to announce City of Dreams Mediterranean will open on Monday, July 10, 2023. Bringing a one-of-a-kind development to Cyprus, City of Dreams Mediterranean is the first integrated resort in Europe, showcasing an unparalleled array of offerings, including Europe’s grandest casino, fine dining, extensive entertainment, and the biggest expo center in Cyprus.

Mr. Grant Johnson, General Manager of City of Dreams Mediterranean, commented: “We are thrilled to finally open the doors of City of Dreams Mediterranean to our valued guests. A landmark project and our first venture in Europe, it will bring Melco’s award-winning standards of entertainment and leisure and welcome innovation to Cyprus’ luxury hotel scene. We look forward to captivating our guests with contemporary design, first-class entertainment, and immersive experiences.”
Melco also announced a special soft opening period for hotel and invited guests will commence on June 12, 2023, followed by the public opening on July 10, 2023.

Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/05/12/2667539/0/en/Melco-announces-City-of-Dreams-Mediterranean-is-to-open-in-Limassol-Cyprus-on-July-10-2023.html