Tourist arrivals reached 3,845,652 in 2023, an increase of 20.1% compared to 3,201,080 in 2022, with more than 1/3 of tourists staying in Paphos, the Cyprus Statistical Service announced on Friday, with tourism revenue increasing by 22.6% to €2.99 billion.

At the same time, total arrivals reached 6,107,725, a 26.4% increase compared to 2022, while trips abroad by Cyprus residents increased by 33.4% to 1,680,345.

Specifically, according to CyStat, in 2023, the United Kingdom was the most important source of tourism for Cyprus, with a share of 33.9% of total tourist traffic, followed by Israel with 10.7%, Poland with 7.1%, Germany with 5.5%, Greece with 4.9%, Sweden with 3.8%, Romania and France with 2.1%

Of the total tourists in 2023, 34.2% said they stayed in Paphos, 16.4% in Ayia Napa, 13.4% in Larnaca, 12.0% in Limassol, 11.2% in Paralimni and smaller proportions in other regions.

The purpose of travel in 2023 was holidays for 80.3% of visitors, a visit to friends or relatives for 13.3% and for 6.3% business.

Revenue from tourism

Moreover, according to the Statistical Service, tourism revenues in 2023 are estimated at €2,990.6 million compared to €2,439.2 million in 2022, an increase of 22.6%.

In 2023, the average per capita expenditure was estimated at €777.68, an increase of 2.1% from 2022. The highest per capita expenditure in 2023 was recorded in August with €944.51 and the lowest with €475.39 in February.

Travellers

In 2023, travel to and from Cyprus saw an increase compared to 2022, according to the Statistical Office.

Specifically, total traveller arrivals reached 6,107,725, an increase of 26.4% and departures reached 6,105,574, also an increase of 26.8% compared to 2022.

Air traffic accounted for 95.1% for arrivals and 95.2% for departures in 2023.

Residents of Cyprus

In addition, according to the Statistical Service, trips abroad by Cyprus residents increased by 33.4% to 1,680,345 in 2023 from 1,259,643 in 2022.

In 2023, 34.4% visited Greece, 10.6% the United Kingdom, 4.8% Italy, 3.5% France, 3.2% Germany and 2.7% Bulgaria.

The peak period for Cyprus residents travelling abroad was July-August.

72.0% of Cyprus residents returning from travelling abroad in 2023 said the main purpose of their trip was holidays, 19.7% business, 6.6% studies and 1.8% other purposes.