An influx of tourists from main market Britain and an upswing from Sweden helped Cyprus mark another record as arrivals in June broke the 500,000 barrier.
Despite a 5.1% drop in Russian tourists, Cyprus managed to register best ever arrival figures for June, official data showed on Tuesday.
Arrivals of tourists to Cyprus in June increased 8.2% compared to the same month last year, indicating another exceptional holiday season.
It was the 36th consecutive increase in tourist arrivals going back to July 2015.
Tourist arrivals reached 511,073 in June compared to 472,450 a year ago, according to official figures.
“June 2018 had the highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month,” said the Cyprus statistical service.
For the first six months, January to June, arrivals of tourists increased 12.4% to 1.64 million from 1.46 million in the same period last year.
“This also outnumbers the total of arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the first six months of the year,” said Cystat.
Cyprus has benefited from a boom in visitors from Britain along with a revival in those coming from Germany, Israel and Poland.
But the trend from Russia, Germany and Israel in June was negative.
In June alone, there was a decrease in tourists from Israel (15.1%) and a 11.3% decline from Germany.
Moreover, the island suffered a 4.7% hit from its second largest market Russia over the first six months.
But Year-on-year tourist arrivals from number one market the United Kingdom rose by 9.9% in June to 164,477 while there was a 20.2% increase in tourists from Sweden (25,413).
Sweden has now become the island’s third largest tourist market.
There were also increases from other tourist markets such as mainstay Greece with 19,063 (+4.7%) and emerging Poland with 11,556 (+36.4%).
The UK constituted the largest source of tourism for Cyprus in June with a 32.4% share (165,477) followed by Russia (123,327) with 24.1%, Sweden (25,413) 5% and Israel (23,814) 4.7%.
Over the six months Poland saw the biggest percentage increase of tourists with 66% reaching 39,243.
And the largest percentage drop was from both Russia and France over the six months to June, each dipping 4.7% to 317,388 and 15,501 respectively.
Industry officials argue that arrivals from Russia are down due to currency fluctuations of the rouble and the renewed popularity of Turkey – a destination made more attractive by a weak Turkish lira.
Lower numbers from Russia are expected to be absorbed by more tourists coming from Germany, Israel, Sweden, Poland and the UK.
And those hotels which are dependent on the Russian market are beginning to see bookings fall.
The eastern Mediterranean island has benefited from its reputation as a regional safe haven as unrest has hit the tourism sectors of its traditional competitors Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.
But those countries are attracting more tourists at cheaper prices meaning Cyprus must focus on remaining competitive.
The tourism boom has helped Cyprus return to growth following a €10-billion bailout to rescue its crumbling economy and insolvent banks in March 2013.
Income from tourism now accounts for about 15% of the country’s gross domestic product and is credited with underpinning a quick recovery.
A record 3.65 million tourists enjoyed a Cyprus holiday last year, spending an unprecedented EUR 2.6 bln.
