Tourist arrivals soar as May 2023 records impressive 33.3% surge

The arrivals of tourists reached 420,076 in May 2023 compared to 315,018 in May 2022, recording an increase of 33.3%, according to data published by the Cyprus Statistical Service on Tuesday.

In particular, arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main source of tourism for May 2023, with a share of 36.6% (153,797) of total arrivals, followed by Israel with 8.9% (37,442), Poland with 7.3% (30,835), Germany with 6.2% (25,916) and Sweden with 5.2% (21,837).

For a percentage of 82.1% of visitors, the purpose of their trip in May 2023 was holidays, 11.3% to visit friends and relatives and 6.5% for business.

It's worth noting that tourist arrivals in 2023 have shown an increase every month from January to May, compared to the same months in 2022. For the period of January – May 2023, arrivals of tourists totaled 1,156,705 compared to 849,058 in the corresponding period of 2022, recording an increase of 36.2%.

Less Cypriot residents traveled abroad

Moreover, a total number of 126,583 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in May 2023 compared to 135,661 in the corresponding month last year, recording a decrease of 6.7%.

The main countries from which residents of Cyprus returned in May 2023 were Greece with a share of 31.4% (39,738), the United Kingdom with 10.1% (12,739), Italy with 5.6% (7,098) and Germany with 4% (5,095).

The purpose of travel for the residents of Cyprus in May 2023 was mainly holidays, with a percentage of 64.8%, while 28.5% of Cypriot residents traveled abroad for business reasons, 3.6% for studies and 3.1% for other reasons 3.1%.