General Director of Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) Marios Hannides expressed satisfaction, saying that despite the economic crisis, Cyprus has managed to increase the number of tourists visiting the island.

According to the Statistical Service, an increase of 2.4% was recorded in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom (from 103,579 in May 2013 to 106,063 in May 2014) and a 15.2% increase from Russia (from 76,776 to 88,426 this year). However, a decrease of 10.7% in tourist arrivals was recorded from Sweden (15,299 in May 2014 compared to 17,139 in May 2013) and a 2.4% decrease from Greece (9,083 compared to 9,311 last year).

For the period January – May 2014arrivals of tourists totalled 637,617 compared to 615,916 in the corresponding period of 2013, recording an increase of 3.5%.

Also according to statistical figures, 89,632 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in May 2014 compared to 106,491 in the corresponding month last year, recording a decrease of 15.8%.

In May 2014 there was a decrease of 5.1% on the trips of residents to Greece (27,741 in May 2014 compared to 29,227 in May 2013) and a 24.3% decrease from the United Kingdom (25,516 compared to 33,695 last year).

Source: Famagusta Gazette