According to CYSTAT data released on Monday, the number of tourists that visited the occupied territories of northern Cyprus via the free areas in August reached 19 thousand, boosting the T/C economy with £0.5 million.

According to the survey, the percentage of tourists that crossed the checkpoints to the occupied areas of the 305,926 tourists that visited the island in August stood at 6.3% against 4.1% in 2003.

The average spending per tourist on his visit to the occupied areas reached £26 against £12.7 in 2003 (+100%).

The vast majority of tourists made one-day excursions spending £11.3 average. However, 1700 tourists stayed in the occupied areas for at least one night. 33% stayed for 1-2 nights (average spending of £21.8), 31% for 3-5 nights (average spending of £115.5), 21% for 6-9 nights (average spending of £397.5) and 15% for 10 or more nights (average spending of £316.9).

63.8% of the tourists that crossed into the occupied areas visited Famagusta and Karpasia, 48.4% Kyrenia and Bella Pais, 31.6% Nicosia, 4% Morphou and 3.3% other places.

73.9% of the respondents stayed in T/C hotels. 17.4% in friends or relatives and 4.3% in a “self-owned residence”.