Significant growth was recorded in tourist arrivals in March, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the tourism industry.
According to the Statistical Service, tourist arrivals in March 2024 reached 202,256 compared to 184,263 in March 2023, marking an increase of 9.8%. This increase may have been bolstered by the Catholic Easter celebrations at the end of March.
In 2023, Easter fell in April, which could have negatively impacted arrivals for that month.
For the year-to-date, the Statistical Service also announced a rise in tourist flows. From January to March 2024, tourist arrivals totalled 415,251 compared to 393,893 for the same period in 2023, marking a 5.4% increase.
The United Kingdom was the leading source of tourism for March 2024, accounting for 31.8% (64,414) of total arrivals. Arrivals from Poland made up 10.4% (21,054), from Germany 9.8% (19,732), from Greece 9.1% (18,361), and from Israel 8.2% (16,620).
Additionally, an increase in travel by Cyprus residents abroad was also reported for March. Outbound trips reached 128,085 compared to 113,805 in March 2023, marking a 12.5% increase.
The main countries to which Cyprus residents returned in March 2024 were Greece at 32.8% (42,046), the United Kingdom at 12.8% (16,366), and Italy at 5.4% (6,916).
