Tourist arrivals in the period of January to November 2023 reached 3,722,022, compared to 3,091,039 during the same period in 2022, marking a significant increase of 20.4%.

The figures are nearing the annual record of 2019, which stood at 3,976,777. These statistics were released on Monday by the Statistical Service.

According to the data, November 2023 saw tourist arrivals at 159,605, a 6.5% increase compared to November 2022, which recorded 149,857 arrivals.

The United Kingdom topped the list as the primary source of tourism in November 2023, constituting 26.8% (42,724) of the total arrivals, followed by Poland at 11.8% (18,874), Germany at 10% (15,984), and Greece at 9.7% (15,475).

The purpose of travel for November 2023 was primarily holidays for 67.2% of tourists, visiting friends or relatives for 19.7%, and business purposes accounting for 12.8%.

In contrast, for November 2022, 70.8% visited Cyprus for holidays, 15% for visiting friends or relatives, and 14% for business reasons.

Moreover, Cypriot residents’ trips abroad in November reached 117,487, showing an increase of 14.7% compared to November 2022, which recorded 102,417 trips.

The top countries residents returned from in November 2023 were Greece at 33.9% (39,868), the United Kingdom at 13.5% (15,834), and Italy at 5% (5,914).

The main purpose of Cypriot residents’ travels in November 2023 was primarily holidays, accounting for 68.1%, while business purposes constituted 27.7%, studies at 2.3%, and other reasons at 1.8%.