The Statistical Service announced that in April 2002 the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 240.279 recording a decrease of 23,7% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-April 2002 arrivals of travellers reached 652.029 compared to 741.959 in the corresponding period of 2001, recording a decrease of 12,1%.

Arrivals of tourists reached 180.481 in April 2002 compared to 237.228 in the corresponding month last year, recording a decrease of 23,9%. For the period January-April 2002 arrivals of tourists reached 445,124 compared to 522.587 in the corresponding period of 2001, i.e. a decrease of 14,8%.

The main countries of tourist arrivals in April 2002 were the United Kingdom with 47,7%, Germany with 8,9%, Russia with 6,1%, Greece with 4,9%, Sweden with 4,6%, Switzerland with 3,4% and Finland with 3,3%. The overwhelming majority, 80,8% of tourist arrivals was from countries of the European Union.

In April 2002, 51.582 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 58.011 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-April 2002, 188.027 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 177.716 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 5,8%. The number of same-day visitors reached 5.720 which 695 were same-day tourists and 5.025 excursionists. Long-term immigrants numbered 957 and short-term immigrants 1.496.