Press Releases

Travellers 

The movement of travellers to and from Cyprus in 2023 recorded an increase compared to 2022. Total arrivals of travellers reached 6.107.725, recording an increase of 26,4%, and departures totalled 6.105.574, also recording an increase of 26,8%, compared to 2022 (Figure 1).

Air traffic represented 95,1% of arrivals and 95,2% of departures in 2023.

Tourists 

Tourist arrivals increased by 20,1% and reached 3.845.652 in 2023, compared to 3.201.080 in 2022 (Figure 2).

During 2023, the United Kingdom was the most important source of tourism for Cyprus with a share of 33,9% of the total tourist traffic, followed by Israel with 10,7%, Poland with 7,1%, Germany with 5,5%, Greece with 4,9%, Sweden with 3,8%, Romania and France with 2,1% (Figure 3).

Out of the total number of tourists, 34,2% stated that they stayed in Pafos, 16,4% in Agia Napa, 13,4% in Larnaka, 12,0% in Lemesos, 11,2% in Paralimni and smaller proportions in other areas.

For a percentage of 80,3% of tourists, the purpose of their trip in 2023 was holidays, for 13,3% visit to friends and relatives and for 6,3% business.

Revenue from tourism

In 2023, revenue from tourism was estimated at €2.990,6 mn, compared to €2.439,2 mn in 2022, recording an increase of 22,6%.

The average expenditure per person was €777,68 in 2023, recording an increase of 2,1% from 2022. The highest average expenditure per person in 2023 was recorded in the month of August with €944,51 and the lowest in the month of February with €475,39 (Figure 4).

Residents of Cyprus 

The trips of residents of Cyprus abroad increased by 33,4% in 2023 and reached 1.680.345, as compared to 1.259.643 in 2022. 

In 2023, 34,4% visited Greece, 10,6% the United Kingdom, 4,8% Italy, 3,5% France, 3,2% Germany and 2,7% Bulgaria. The peak-season for residents travelling abroad was the period of July-August. 

A percentage of 72,0% of the residents of Cyprus travelling abroad in 2023 stated that the main reason for travelling was holidays, 19,7% stated professional reasons, 6,6% studies and 1,8% other purposes.

Methodological Notes

Definitions 

Travellers – Are 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 – Are 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 grossing-up is conducted based on the data sent to the Statistical Service by the Civil Aviation Department and from the cruise passenger lists, 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 CYSTAT Portal, subtheme Tourism, CYSTAT-DB (Online Database), Publications, Methodological Information or contact Ms Lucy Panayidou at 22602152 or via email: lpanagidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy.

(GS/EP)