The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has revealed that 2017 is on track to be its most successful year on record in terms of global tourist arrivals. 

From January to June 2017, global tourist arrivals to the destination reached 1,463,206, compared to 1,255,240 in 2016; a year-on-year increase of 16.6% and the highest ever total arrivals for this period to date. If this trend continues, the country will see another record-breaking year for tourism.

June 2017 set the record for the highest volume of global tourist arrivals ever recorded (472,450).

Of these arrivals, there was a 1.2% increase in visitors from the UK, a 2.1% increase in tourists from Russia (Cyprus’ main sources of tourism which make up 31.9% and 27.5% of arrivals respectively) and 88.7% increase in travellers from Israel. Visitors from Sweden increased by 25.4% but there was a 27.5% decrease in tourists from the Ukraine.

The majority of visitors to Cyprus in June 2017 categorised the purpose of their trip as a holiday (86.2%) with 10.3% stating they were visiting friends and relatives and 3.5% travelling for business. Slightly more women (55.8%) visited Cyprus in June 2017 than men (44.2%) and the majority of tourists (53.8%) were aged between 20-44 years.

Orestis Rossides, UK director of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, said: “We’re pleased to announce that 2017 was our most successful January to June period on record. Tourists from across the globe are drawn in by Cyprus’ year-round weather, stunning landscapes, friendly locals and delicious, locally sourced food and drink – not to mention the wide range of activities to please everyone; from cycling, scuba diving, trekking and golf to world-class spas. We’re proud to have welcomed a record-breaking number of tourists so far this year and hope visitors will continue to be drawn to our beautiful country throughout the rest of the year. Cyprus’ boasts the warmest winters in Europe, which is particularly attractive to Brits looking for some winter sun.”

Cyprus – the third largest island in the Mediterranean – attracts over two million tourists annually.