Tourist arrivals on the rise, overseas travel up 11%

Tourist arrivals in Cyprus saw an annual increase of 4.5% in September, rising to 509,463 compared to 487,350 in the same month last year, while year-to-date this number has grown to 3,268,090 compared to 3,136,145 in September 2023, up 4.2%.

This was the fifth consecutive increase in monthly arrivals this year, while seven of the nine months in 2024 also saw increases, with the exception of a drop in tourist arrivals in January and April.

According to the statistical service Cystat, 85.1% of all arrivals in September were for holidays, 9.6% were visiting friends and relatives and 5.2% for business.

The biggest number of arrivals was from the United Kingdom, which traditionally remains the main source of tourism.

In September, Cyprus welcomed 180,961 visitors from Britain, accounting for 35.5% of all arrivals.

Next were visitors from Israel at 54,557 (10.7%), followed by Poland (42,295 or 8.3%), Germany with (24,594 or 4.8%) and Sweden (21,609 or 4.2%).

More travel out of Cyprus

Once again, Greece remained the most popular destination for Cyprus residents travelling overseas in September.

According to Cystat, 156,153 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad, compared to 140,187 in September last year, an increase of 11.4%.

The main countries of choice were Greece with a share of 35.0% (54,624), the U.K. with 7,8% (12,165 or 7.8%), Italy (9,860 or 6.3%) and Russia (8,719 or 5.6%).

Their purpose of travel in September was mainly holidays (73.0%), business (23.4%), studies 1.8% and “other” 1.8%.