Travellers
In 2024, travel traffic to and from Cyprus increased compared to 2023. Specifically, total traveler arrivals reached 6,285,427, an increase of 2.9%, and departures reached 6,270,760, also recording an increase of 2.7% compared to 2023 (Figure 1).
Air traffic accounted for 97.7% of both arrivals and departures in 2024.
Tourists
Tourist arrivals increased by 5.1% and reached 4,040,200 in 2024 from 3,845,652 in 2023 (Figure 2).
In 2024, the United Kingdom is the main source of tourism for Cyprus, accounting for 34.0% of total tourist traffic, followed by Israel with 10.5%, Poland with 8.3%, Germany with 5.7%, Greece with 4.5% and Sweden with 3.7% (Figure 3).
Of the total number of tourists in 2024, 31.5% stated that they stayed in Paphos, 15.9% in Ayia Napa, 14.2% in Larnaca, 12.4% in Limassol, 11.4% in Paralimni and smaller percentages in other areas.
The purpose of travel, in 2024, was for 81.1% of tourists, for 11.9% to visit friends or relatives and for 6.9% for business.
Tourism Revenues
Tourism revenues in 2024 are estimated at €3,209.4 million. compared to €2,990.6 million in 2023, recording an increase of 7.3%.
In 2024, on average, per capita expenditure was estimated at €794.40, an increase of 2.1% from 2023. The highest expenditure per capita in 2024 was recorded in August with €921.59 and the lowest with €513.32 in January (Figure 4).
Cyprus Residents
The trips of Cypriots abroad increased by 4.4%, reaching 1,754,937 in 2024 from 1,680,345 in 2023.
In 2024, 34.7% visited Greece, 10.5% the United Kingdom, 5.2% Italy, 3.7% Germany, 3.1% Russia and 2.9% France. The month in which the most trips by Cypriots were recorded was August, while the month with the fewest trips was February.
72.5% of Cypriots who returned from trips abroad in 2024 stated that the main purpose of their trip was vacation, 19.4% for business reasons, 6.8% for studies and 1.3% for other reasons.
Methodological Information
Definitions
Travellers: All persons who go through passport control at the ports and airports of Cyprus are considered. The different categories of travellers are visitors, residents of Cyprus, migrants abroad and incoming migrants.
Tourists: Visitors who stay at least one night in Cyprus are considered.
Tourism Revenue: This refers to the income from tourists during their trip to Cyprus.
Cypriot residents: This category includes persons who have resided in Cyprus for at least 12 months prior to their trip.
Data Source and Coverage
The data come from the Traveller Survey, which is conducted at the arrivals and departures of Larnaca and Paphos airports. In addition, data are also collected from administrative sources, such as monthly arrivals from ports.
The data cover all persons who pass through passport control at the ports and airports of Cyprus and refer to the State-controlled areas. They do not include travellers who come and go illegally through ports and airports in the occupied territory of Cyprus.
The data are reported on the basis of data sent to the Statistical Service by the Department of Civil Aviation and from the ships’ passenger lists, as well as data sent from other administrative sources.
During the period June 2020-April 2022, the Traveller Arrivals Survey was temporarily suspended and the data were collected by the electronic platform “Cyprus Flight Pass”.
For more information, interested parties can visit the Statistical Service Portal, subtopic Tourism, CYSTAT-DB (Database), Publications, Methodological Information or contact Ms. Loukia Panagidou on 22602152 phone or via email at lpanagidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy
