PASYXE’s questioning on the correctness of the statistical figures for August 2003 is indefensible and ungrounded, the Statistics Service announced on Tuesday.

“The ungrounded questioning of the official statistics for tourist arrivals offends the professional and scientific ability, sufficiency and integrity of its members”, a CYSTAT announcement said.

The statistical figures released by CYSTAT “derive from studies and surveys carried out pursuant to scientific practices, methodologies and international definitions. The ‘estimates’ that PASYXE evokes, do not allow the questioning of the established official surveys, whose results were considered as ‘valid’ by it”.

The process followed by the Statistic Service since 1997 on a 24 hours basis covers all daily flights and the total number of tourists is classified in certain categories (travelers, Cyprus residents, immigrants, daily visitors). It is noted that the survey covers 16,000-22,000 tourist arrivals per month.

“The figures for August 2003 are based on 21,439 arrivals. CYSTAT will be at your disposal for any additional information and clarifications”, the announcement concluded.