Tourist arrivals in Cyprus fell by 10.1% in the first half of 2026, while in June the decline was limited to 1.7% on a year-over-year basis, according to data released Friday by the Statistical Service.

Specifically, tourist arrivals in June 2026 totaled 489,965, compared to 498,527 in June 2025, marking a 1.7% decrease.

For the period January–June 2026, tourist arrivals totaled 1,656,015, compared to 1,843,013 during the corresponding period of 2025, marking a 10.1% decrease.

According to data from the Statistical Service, arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main source of tourism for June 2026, accounting for 33.0% (161,913) of total arrivals. This was followed by arrivals from Israel at 16.4% (80,343), arrivals from Poland at 7.3% (35,871), arrivals from Sweden at 5.5% (26,884), and arrivals from Germany at 4.4% (21,587).

The purpose of travel in June 2026 was vacation for 81.6% of visitors, 11.3% visited friends or relatives, and 7.0% traveled for business. Similarly, in June 2025, 81.2% visited Cyprus for vacation, 13.2% to visit friends or relatives, and 5.6% for business purposes.

7.4% increase in trips by Cyprus residents abroad in June

At the same time, trips abroad by Cyprus residents in June 2026 totaled 168,953, compared to 157,324 in June 2025, marking a 7.4% increase.

The main countries from which Cypriot residents returned in June 2026 were Greece with 35.3% (59,664), the United Kingdom at 8.3% (14,040), Italy at 6.3% (10,720), and Poland at 3.5% (5,917).

The main purpose of travel for residents of Cyprus in June 2026 was vacation, accounting for 68.1%, while business accounted for 21.7%, studies at 8.9%, and other reasons at 1.3%.

Koumis: Tourism Is Back on a Steady Trajectory

The June arrival figures, announced on Friday by the Statistical Service, “confirm that tourism in our country has returned to a stable trajectory, as the month’s overall performance is considered satisfactory under the circumstances,” said Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis.

In a written statement, the Deputy Minister notes that the overall decline in arrivals of 1.7%, compared to June of last year, “is a result that also confirms that the lower figures of the previous months, in March and April, which were affected by the international conflict in the Middle East, are now a thing of the past.” At the same time, he continues, “it is confirmed that the actions taken by the Deputy Ministry, as well as those of the tourism industry as a whole, to manage the emergency situation that our country’s tourism sector has faced since March 1, have yielded clearly improved results.”

Referring to the performance of the first half of the year, which resulted in a decline of 10.1% compared to the first half of 2025 and an increase of 0.2% compared to 2024, Mr. Koumis says that it is also considered satisfactory, “if we take into account the very severe losses in March and April, which have a major impact on any analysis. At the same time, this offers a glimmer of hope for further limiting the decline in this year’s overall results.”

“As the government and the relevant Deputy Ministry, we certainly do not stop at simply reading the numbers. At the same time, a thorough analysis shows that a number of geographic markets have been affected, and that they still require in-depth support to ensure their successful and uninterrupted progress in the coming years,” notes Mr. Koumis.

“We are continuing,” says the Deputy Minister, “to work hard on planning for the coming years, with a clear focus on next year, in collaboration with our country’s tourism industry.” The ultimate goal, of course, can be none other than the continuation of our comprehensive effort to transform our country into a sustainable, digitally smart, and accessible destination for all,” he concludes.

Source: CNA