Annual tourist arrivals increased by 3.4% in Cyprus, according to a Passenger Survey published by the Cyprus Statistical Office.

Tourist arrivals in July came to 371,453 compared to 359,104 in July last year.

This is mainly due to an increase in tourist arrivals from Russia.

Arrivals from Britain continue to follow a downward trend.

Tourist arrivals from Russia in July 2012 were 79,278, up by 40.7% compared to 56,361 in July 2011.

Norwegian tourists arriving in Cyprus in July 2012 came to 14.056, up by 9.3% compared with the same period of last year.

The number of German tourists also increased by 13.5%, with arrivals reaching this July 12,785 compared to 11,266 last year.

Tourist arrivals from Britain came in July this year to 141,782, marking a 9.1% fall compared to 156,051 in July 2011.

Swedish tourists arriving in Cyprus in July 2012 came to 18,405 compared to 19,385 in July 2011 recording a fall of 5.1%.

Tourist arrivals from Greece also fell by 3.4%.

The Statistic Service says the total number of tourist arrivals from Europe as a whole came to 347,710, whereas arrivals from the EU came to 239,950.