Tourist arrivals in Cyprus increased by 5.5% in June 2024, reaching 482,261 compared to 456,985 in June 2023, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service on Wednesday.

Tourist arrivals from January to June 2024 also saw a 2.4% increase, totaling 1,652,475 compared to 1,613,690 during the same period in 2023.

The purpose of travel in June 2024 was primarily for holidays for 83.4% of tourists, visiting friends or relatives for 10.5%, and business for 5.9%. In June 2023, 81.7% visited for holidays, 12.6% for visiting friends or relatives, and 5.5% for business.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom were the leading source of tourism for June 2024, accounting for 35.6% (171,704) of total arrivals. Arrivals from Israel constituted 10.7% (51,814), while arrivals from Poland were 7.5% (36,202), from Sweden 4.9% (23,639), and from Germany 4.5% (21,552).

Compared to the previous month, Israeli arrivals increased as a percentage of total arrivals, from 7.9% in May. German arrivals showed a slight decrease from 6.4%. The percentages from Poland and Sweden remained stable, at 7.6% and 4.8% respectively, in the previous month.

Travel abroad by Cypriot residents in June 2024 reached 136,739, compared to 138,588 in June 2023, a 1.3% decrease.

The main countries Cypriot residents returned from in June 2024 were Greece with 37.5% (51,260), the United Kingdom with 11.9% (16,311), and Italy with 4.9% (6,641).

The purpose of travel for Cypriot residents in June 2024 was mainly holidays at 64.6%, business at 24.2%, studies at 10.1%, and other reasons at 1.1%.