Tourist Arrivals Increase By 2.8% in March 2017

On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 140,873 in March 2017 compared to 137,013 in March 2016, recording an increase of 2.8%. March 2017 had the highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month.

For the period of January – March 2017 arrivals of tourists totaled 285.693 compared to 251,608 in the corresponding period of 2016, recording an increase of 13.5%.

Analysis of changes

Tourist arrivals from Russia increased by 55.1% in March 2017 compared to March 2016 while an increase of 10.7% was recorded for tourists from Greece. Increases were also recorded from other important tourist markets, such as Israel (94.9%) and France (15.9%). Contrary to that, a decrease of 7.9% in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom was recorded. Percentage changes from one year to the next for the main countries of usual residence of tourists.

Main countries

The United Kingdom and Russia constitute the main sources of tourism for Cyprus for March 2017, with proportions of 38.7% and 14.1% respectively, while arrivals from Greece comprise 9.6% and from Israel 7.1% of total arrivals.

Characteristics of tourists

For a percentage of 68.3% of tourists, the purpose of their trip in March 2017 was holidays, for 15.5% visit to friends and relatives and for 16.1% business.

Men comprise 48.0% of tourists and women 52.0%, whilst most of the tourists belonged to the age group of 20-44 years.