Tourist arrivals in Cyprus increased by 20.1% in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the latest data released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus. This represents the third-highest performing year, surpassed only by 2018 and 2019, when record arrivals were recorded.

Tourist arrivals for the period of January to December 2023 reached 3,845,652, compared to 3,201,080 for the same period in 2022, marking a substantial 20.1% increase.

Tourist arrivals in Cyprus had reached their highest historical levels in 2019, with a total of 3,976,777, and in 2018 with 3,938,625, before experiencing a sharp decline in 2020, due to the impact of the pandemic.

Arrivals in December up 12.3%

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In December 2023, tourist arrivals marked a 12.3% increase, totaling 123,630, compared to 110,041 in December 2022, marking a significant boost in the last month of the year.

The United Kingdom remained the primary source of tourism for December 2023, making up 23.4% (28,973) of total arrivals, followed by Poland with 11.5% (14,233), and Greece with 10.3% (12,792).

During December 2023, 58.4% of tourists visited Cyprus for holidays, 30.4% visited friends or relatives, and 11.0% for business purposes. In comparison, in December 2022, 61.9% visited Cyprus for holidays, 27.4% visited friends or relatives, and 10.4% for business reasons.

Increase in Cypriot travel abroad in December

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Moreover, Cypriot residents’ trips abroad in December 2023 reached 153,736, compared to 139,981 in December 2022, recording a 9.8% increase.

The primary countries visited by Cypriot residents in December 2023 were Greece with 30.2% (46,376), the United Kingdom with 15.3% (23,478), and Poland with 4.6% (7,006).

In December 2023, the main purpose of travel for Cypriot residents was holidays, for 62.5%, while business reasons accounted for 16.3%, studies for 20.5%, and other reasons for 0.8%.