Record tourist arrivals in Cyprus in December and in 2019 as a whole

Cyprus recorded record tourist arrivals in December and in 2019, data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service on Friday shows.

Passenger Survey Results

On the basis of results from the Passenger Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 110,330 in December 2019 compared to 106,563 in December 2018, recording an increase of 3.5%.

December 2019 had the “highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month,” the Statistical Service says.

“December 2019 had the highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month.”

United Kingdom, Greece, Russia and Israel arrivals

During the period of January –December 2019 arrivals of tourists reached 3,976,777 compared to 3,938,625 in the corresponding period of 2018, recording an increase of 1% and “outnumbering the total arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during a year.”

Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 4.2% in December 2019 compared to December 2018 while an increase of 51% was recorded for tourists from Israel.

A drop of 33.4% in tourist arrivals from Greece and 1.7% from Russia were recorded.

“Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 4.2% in December 2019 compared to December 2018 while an increase of 51% was recorded for tourists from Israel.”

The United Kingdom was the main source of tourism for Cyprus in December 2019, with a share of 30.3%. Arrivals from Israel comprise 12.8% of total arrivals, from Greece 9.5% and from Russia 8.9%.

Visitor Purpose

Asked what the purpose of their trip was 53.3% of participants in the survey said it was holidays, 32.3% were visiting friends and relatives, and 14.2% were visiting Cyprus on business.

More Cypriot residents traveled abroad in December

According to the results of the Passengers Survey, 144,619 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in December 2019 compared to 122,149 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 18.4%.

“In December 2019 there was an increase of 24.2% in the trips of residents to Greece.”

In December 2019 there was an increase of 24.2% in the trips of residents to Greece reaching 43,142 in December 2019 compared to 34,744 in December 2018 and a 12.3% increase to the United Kingdom, reaching 31,474 compared to 28,030 last year.