The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has confirmed that 2017 is on track to be its most successful year on record in terms of global tourist arrivals.
From January to June 2017, global tourist arrivals to Cyprus reached 1,463,206, compared to 1,255,240 in 2016; a year-on-year increase of 16.6 per cent and the highest ever total arrivals for this period to date.
If this trend continues, the country will see another record-breaking year for tourism.
June 2017 set the record for the highest volume of global tourist arrivals to Cyprus ever recorded during the month of June (472,450).
Of these arrivals, there was a 1.2 per cent increase in visitors from the UK, a 2.1 per cent increase in tourists from Russia (Cyprus’ main sources of tourism which make up 31.9 per cent and 27.5 per cent of arrivals respectively) and a staggering 88.7 per cent increase in travellers from Israel.
Visitors from Sweden increased by 25.4 per cent but there was a 27.5 per cent decrease in tourists from the Ukraine.
The majority of visitors to Cyprus in June 2017 categorised the purpose of their trip as a holiday (86.2 per cent) with 10.3 per cent stating they were visiting friends and relatives and 3.5 per cent travelling for business.
Slightly more women (55.8 per cent) visited Cyprus in June 2017 than men (44.2 per cent) and the majority of tourists (53.8 per cent) were aged between 20-44 years.
Orestis Rossides, UK director of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, said:
“We’re pleased to announce that 2017 was our most successful January to June period on record. Tourists from across the globe are drawn in by Cyprus’ year-round weather, stunning landscapes, friendly locals and delicious, locally sourced food and drink – not to mention the wide range of activities to please everyone; from cycling, scuba diving, trekking and golf to world-class spas. We’re proud to have welcomed a record-breaking number of tourists so far this year and hope visitors will continue to be drawn to our beautiful country throughout the rest of the year. Cyprus’ boasts the warmest winters in Europe, which is particularly attractive to Brits looking for some winter sun.”
Cyprus – the third largest island in the Mediterranean – attracts over two million tourists annually.
Cyprus is a year-round island appealing to a wide range of personal tastes and lifestyles, from families and couples, to the most discerning of culture and nature-oriented travellers.