In the first half of the year, total transactions rose also 12% to €1.3bn compared to the respective period last year, JCC said in an emailed statement on Monday.

The value of purchases and cash withdrawals abroad by holders of Cypriot cards rose an annual 10% to €128.7m last month and 12% to €745.8m in the first six months of the year, JCC said. Tourists spent €98.9m last month on credit cards and €392.2m in the first half of 2017, which is in both cases is 22% higher compared to the respective period last year.

The value of payments in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus and Turkey processed by JCC was €709,083 and €320,938 last month and €4.3m and €1.4m in January to June respectively, JCC said. Holders of Turkish cards spent €2.5m last month and €12.5m in the first half of the year.

Source: Cyprus Mail