Tourism revenue slipped an annual 1% in 2019 despite a 1% increase in the number of visitors, reflecting a 2% drop in expenditure per person, according to figures issued by Cystat on Tuesday.

Cyprus in 2019 marked its fifth consecutive year of economic expansion since the 2013 financial crisis, with the Ministry of Finance noting that the Cypriot economy lies on “a solid base” but efforts should continue to shield the economy.

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4% in January 2020, stable compared with December 2019 and down from 7.8% in January 2019. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since May 2008, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The Finance Ministry said on Tuesday it is satisfied with Cyprus’ economic performance last year as the country’s annual GDP grew by 3.2% down from 3.8% in 2018.

Ahead of Gesy’s phase two rollout, contributions from most people to the programme will increase from the current 1.7% to 2.65% as of March 1.

Local winemakers on Tuesday called on authorities to help them better promote their products, as it emerged that imports outstrip exports by a factor of 10.

Protecting the environment and the climate is important to 94% of Europeans and 97% of Cypriots according to a Eurobarometer survey published on Tuesday.

The first month of the year in Cyprus saw the registration of a number of top luxury cars – both brand new and second hand, according to Statistical Service data.

The University of Nicosia’s team was the winner of the local CFA Research Challenge 2020 competition, organised for the sixth consecutive year by the CFA Society of Cyprus.

The health services on Monday urged individuals who have returned from northern Italy to confine themselves to their homes to help prevent any spready of Covid-19 as three more people were being tested at Limassol hospital.