Cyprus tourism increases in June 2023 with record-breaking arrivals

Despite the difficulties brought on by the global pandemic, Cyprus manages to attract tourists with its breathtaking scenery and diverse cultural experiences. Join us as we explore the most recent data that highlights Cyprus's status as a popular travel destination in the Mediterranean.

The tourism industry in Cyprus, a charming island in the Mediterranean, experienced an important increase in June 2023. The number of visitors increased noticeably by 22.7% when compared to the same period the year prior, indicating a strong turnaround for the country's tourism industry after enduring difficulties as a result of the global epidemic. Cyprus continues to be a popular destination for tourists looking for enchanted landscapes and deep cultural experiences, despite the numbers falling short of the record-breaking visits in June 2018.

June 2023: A record-breaking month

According to a newly published data by the state's statistical service, Cyprus welcomed astonishing 456,985 tourists in June 2023, up significantly from the 372,324 tourists counted in June 2022. This increase is evidence of Cyprus's growing appeal to tourists from throughout the world.

Strong first half of 2023

With a total of 1,613,690 visitors arriving from January to June, the first half of 2023 was a successful time for Cyprus's tourism sector. This number is a remarkable 32.1% increase over the same period in 2022, when 1,221,382 arrivals were recorded.

Comparing with June 2018

Despite the tremendous growth, the numbers for June 2023 were still 10.6% less than the record-breaking arrivals recorded in June 2018, when a remarkable 511,073 tourists descended onto the island. Nevertheless, the favourable trend seen in 2023 is a reflection of Cyprus's ongoing attraction.

Leading countries contributing to the increase

The United Kingdom emerged as the biggest source of the increase in arrivals among the contributing countries, accounting for 34.8% (159,061) of all arrivals in June 2023. Israel came in second, accounting for 10.2% (46,402) of the arrivals, closely followed by Poland, Sweden, and Greece, each of which contributed 6.6% (30,293), 5% (22,724), and 4.5% (20,722) of the total.

Purpose of travel

The report also shed light on the purpose of travel for visitors in June 2023. The majority, 81.7 per cent, visited Cyprus for vacation purposes, reaffirming the island's reputation as a preferred holiday destination. 12.6 per cent of travelers visited friends or relatives, and 5.5 per cent traveled for business reasons. Comparatively, in June 2022, 82 per cent visited Cyprus for vacation, 10.9 per cent visited friends or relatives, and 7.0 per cent traveled for business purposes.

Cypriot residents' travel trends

The report also highlighted the travel patterns of Cypriot residents. In June 2023, they made a total of 138,588 trips abroad, marking a 14.4 per cent increase from June 2022, which recorded 121,146 trips.

Among the preferred destinations for Cypriot residents, Greece ranked on top, attracting 30.8 per cent of the total outbound trips in June 2023. The United Kingdom followed with 11.2 per cent, Italy with 7.1 per cent, and France with 4.2 per cent.

The majority of Cypriot residents traveled abroad for vacation purposes, accounting for 61.9 per cent of the total trips. Business travel accounted for 26 per cent, while educational purposes and other reasons represented 9.8 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively.

The excellent rise of tourist arrivals during the first half of 2023 indicates well for the island's appeal as a well-liked tourist destination as the country continues to navigate the post-pandemic era. With its unique beauty and wide range of attractions, Cyprus continues to be a top choice for tourists looking for unforgettable experiences in the heart of the Mediterranean.