Arrivals from the United Kingdom, Cyprus’s most important source of incoming tourists, rose 45% to 41,856 in November compared to a year before, while those from Russia, rose 103% to 17,740, Cystat said in a statement on its website on Friday. Arrivals from Germany fell 8.5% to 8,499.

The increase in arrivals from Russia may relate with the October 31 crash of a Russian airline over the Sinai which on route to St. Petersburg from Sharm El-Sheikh, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. Russia and the United Kingdom suspended flights to the popular Egyptian resort in response to the crash which claimed the lives of 224 people.

On November 24, Turkey short down a Russian military jet when it allegedly entered Turkish airspace, which prompted Russian authorities to discourage Russian nationals from visiting Turkey, which is also popular among Russians.

In January to November, the number of overall arrivals rose 8.2% to 2,581,057 compared to the respective period a year before, Cystat said.

Source: Cyprus Mail