Nicosia: Tourist arrivals in Cyprus in 2024 exceeded four million for the first time, recording a historic value with 4,040,200 arrivals, compared to 3,845,652 in 2023, marking a significant annual increase of 5.1%. The previous record for arrivals was recorded in 2019 and was 3,976,777.
According to Cyprus News Agency, tourist arrivals in December 2024 set a new all-time record of 133,063, compared to 123,630 in December 2023, recording an increase of 7.6%. As stated, arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main source of tourism for December 2024, with a share of 23.7% (31,501) of total arrivals, followed by arrivals from Israel with 17.4% (23,168), Poland with 9.4% (12,473), Greece with 9.0% (11,969), and Germany with 5.7% (7,535).
It is added that the purpose of travel in December 2024 was holidays for 49.6% of tourists, a visit to friends or relatives for 37.5% and business for 12.7%. Respectively, in December 2023, 58.4% visited Cyprus for holidays, 30.4% visited friends or relatives, and 11.0% visited Cyprus for business.
In addition, according to the Statistical Service, 168,022 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in December 2024 compared to 153,736 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 9.3%. The main countries from which Cyprus residents returned in December 2024 were Greece with 31.2% (52,344), the UK with 13.7% (22,995), and Poland with 5.3% (8,956). The purpose of travel of Cyprus residents in December 2024 was mainly holidays with 65.7%, while business reasons held a 16.3% percentage, studies 17.6% and other reasons 0.4%.