From January to March, a total of 369,438 people visited Cyprus, compared to 285,693 during the first quarter of 2017.

The 2018 figures also set an all-time record for number of arrivals for the first three months of the year.

The same was true of the month of March, registering 192,090 tourists compared to 140,873 during the same month last year – an increase of 36.4%.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom in March 2018 were up 24.8% compared to March 2017.

Tourist traffic also increased from Russia (+13.7%), Germany (+107.3%) and Israel (+53.6%).

The UK provided the biggest pool for March 2018, accounting for 35.5% of arrivals, followed by Russia (11.8%), Germany (9.8%) and Israel (8.0%).

According to the Passengers Survey, 73.6% of arrivals were here on holiday, 13.2% were visiting friends or relatives, and 13.1% were here on business.

Men accounted for 47.2%, and women for 52.8%. The majority of tourists belonged to the 20-44 age group.

In a press release, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) said that although the data is extremely encouraging it should not lead to complacency but rather to a redoubling of efforts aimed at improving the tourist product.

The results of tourist arrivals for March 2018, which officially wrap up the winter season (November 2017 – March 2018) for the tourism industry, create a high sense of responsibility apart from optimism, the CTO added.

According to the press release, tourist arrivals for the winter season recorded an increase of 23.1% compared to the corresponding period last year.

It is the highest winter performance and the fourth consecutive winter season increase.

Source: Cyprus Mail