Press Releases

Tourists

Tourist arrivals increased by 65,3% and reached 3.201.080 in 2022 compared to 1.936.931 in 2021. In 2020 tourist arrivals were estimated at 631.609 (Figure 2).

During 2022, the United Kingdom was the most important source of tourism for Cyprus with a share of 37,9% of the total tourist traffic, followed by Israel with 8,7%, Germany with 6,2%, Poland with 5,8%, Greece with 5,3%, Sweden with 3,7%, Austria with 2,2% and Denmark with 2,1% (Figure 3).

Out of the total number of tourists, 35,7% stated that they stayed in Pafos, 16,2% in Ayia Napa, 12,1% in Larnaka, 12,0% in Lemesos, 11,2% in Paralimni and smaller proportions in other areas. 

For a percentage of 80,8% of tourists, the purpose of their trip in 2022 was holidays, for 13,0% visiting friends and relatives and for 6,1% business.

Revenue from Tourism

In 2022, revenue from tourism was estimated at €2.439,2 mn, compared to €1.513,6 mn in 2021 and €392,0 mn in 2020. Tourism revenue in 2022 recorded an increase of 61,2% compared to 2021. 

The average expenditure per person was €761,92 in 2022, recording a decrease of 2,5% from 2021. The highest average expenditure per person in 2022 was recorded in the month of August with €885,98 and the lowest in the month of December with €523,42 (Figure 4). 

Residents of Cyprus

The trips of residents of Cyprus abroad increased by 145,2% in 2022 and reached 1.259.643 as compared to 513.660 in 2021 and 485.806 in 2020.

In 2022, about 36,0% visited Greece, 14,5% the United Kingdom, 4,8% Italy, 3,5% Germany, 3,1% Bulgaria and 2,7% France. The peak-season for residents travelling abroad was the period of July-September.

A percentage of 72,3% of the residents of Cyprus travelling abroad in 2022 stated that the main reason for travelling was holidays, 17,9% stated professional reasons, 7,0% studies and 2,8% other purposes. 

Methodological Notes

Definitions

Travellers: All persons who pass through passport control at the ports and airports of Cyprus. The various categories of travellers are visitors, residents and emigrants or immigrants.

Tourists: Visitors staying at least one night in the country visited.

Revenue from Tourism: It refers to the revenue from tourists during their visit to Cyprus.

Residents of Cyprus: This category includes persons who have resided in Cyprus for at least 12 months prior to their travel.

Source of Data and Coverage

The data are obtained from the Passengers Survey which is carried out at the points of arrival in Larnaka and Pafos airports. Additionally, data are also collected from administrative sources, such as the monthly arrivals from ports.

The data covers all persons who pass through passport control at the ports and airports in the Government controlled area of Cyprus. It does not include travellers who arrive and depart illegally via ports and airports in the occupied part of Cyprus.

The weighting is conducted based on the data sent to the Statistical Service by the Civil Aviation Department and from the ship manifests, as well as on the data sent by the Analysis and Statistics Office of the Cyprus Police.

During the period of June 2020 – April 2022, the Passengers Survey at Arrivals was temporarily discontinued and the data were obtained from the electronic platform “Cyprus Flight Pass”.

For more information visit the CYSTAT Portal, subtheme Tourism, Predefined Tables (Excel), Publications, Methodological Information οr contact Ms Lucy Panayidou: Tel: +357 22 602152, Email: lpanagidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

(GS/AP)