Nicosia: Tourist arrivals in Cyprus experienced a significant drop of 27.6% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, with numbers falling from 418,730 to 303,031, based on data released by the Statistical Service on Monday. This downward trend was also reflected in the overall figures for the first four months of 2026, which saw a 17.9% decrease, with tourist arrivals totaling 710,370 compared to 865,326 during the same period the previous year.
According to Cyprus News Agency, for April 2027, the United Kingdom remained the leading source of tourists, accounting for 39.2% (118,742) of total arrivals. Other significant contributors included Poland at 8.4% (25,371), Germany at 8% (24,178), Israel at 5.3% (15,997), and Greece at 4.7% (14,255). In April 2026, the motivations for travel included holidays at 73%, visiting friends and relatives at 17.7%, and business at 9.2%. Comparatively, in April 2025, those numbers were 80.3% for holidays, 12.7% for visiting friends or relatives, and 6.9% for business purposes.
A closer look at the travel patterns of Cyprus residents in April 2026 shows that 164,357 residents returned from trips abroad, a marginal decrease of 0.3% from the 164,844 who returned in April 2025. The most common destinations for these residents were Greece, accounting for 32.1% (52,837), followed by the United Kingdom at 6.8% (11,219), Italy at 6% (9,841), and Romania at 4.2% (6,931). The primary purpose for travel among Cyprus residents was holidays, making up 74.7%, with business reasons at 17.5%, studies at 6.8%, and other reasons at 1%.