According to CYSTAT data released on Monday, tourist arrivals in January 2006 recorded a drop of 6.8% to 54.9 thousand against 58.9 thousand in the corresponding month of 2005.

Specifically, tourist arrivals from Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom, which are significant tourist markets of Cyprus, dropped by 19.9%, 15.3% and 5% respectively.

Tourist arrivals from Finland, Ireland, Austria, Norway, the Netherlands, France and Sweden also recorded a drop.

According to CTO estimates, there were indications that tourism in Europe would be affected in winter 2006.

On the other hand, Cyprus Tourist Business Association General Manager, Fidias Karis said that this has been the worst January in the past 5 years with the exception of 2002, when there had been a slight increase of 1.5% compared to 2006.

Russian tourist arrivals at +43.9%

However, tourist arrivals from Russia recorded a sharp increase of 43.9% to 1,930 against 1,341 in January 2005. “This increase is linked to the successful efforts for the easier issue of visas from Russia”, a CTO official told StockWatch.

The CTO anticipates that tourist arrivals in April and May will increase, while Mr. Karis insisted that it is too soon to predict the tourist arrivals for the full year since January tourist arrivals are only 2-2.5% of the total arrivals.