The Statistical Service announced that in March 2002 the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 197.903 recording an increase of 4,9% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-March 2002 arrivals of travellers reached 411.750 compared to 427.115 in the corresponding period of 2001, recording a decrease of 3,6%.
Arrivals of tourists reached 138.625 in March 2002 compared to 137.577 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 0,8%. For the period January-March 2002 arrivals of tourists reached 264.642 compared to 285.358 in the corresponding period of 2001, i.e. a decrease of 7,3%.
The main countries of tourist arrivals in March 2002 were the United Kingdom with 51,0%, Germany with 14,6%, Greece with 5,4%, Israel with 3,3%, Russia with 3,0%, Finland with 2,6% and Sweden with 2,0%. The overwhelming majority, 84,4% of tourist arrivals was from countries of the European Union.
In March 2002, 54.815 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 39.853 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-March 2002, 136.444 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 119.705 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 14,0%.
In March 2002 the number of same-day visitors reached 2.290 of which 537 were same-day tourists and 1.753 excursionists. Long-term immigrants numbered 909 and short-term immigrants 1.053.