Tourist arrivals in Cyprus surged in July 2025, with nearly 600,000 visitors choosing the island as their holiday destination. According to the state statistical service, a total of 589,116 tourists visited in July, marking a 6.9 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2024, when 551,229 tourists were recorded.
Steady Growth in 2025
For the first seven months of 2025, the total number of tourist arrivals reached 2,432,129, an increase of 10.4 per cent from 2,203,704 in the same period of 2024. This upward trend reflects Cyprus’s ongoing appeal as a holiday destination.
Top Source Markets for Tourists
The United Kingdom continued to be the largest source of tourism for Cyprus in July, contributing 32.2 per cent of total arrivals with 189,730 visitors. Other notable contributors included:
- Israel: 76,557 visitors (13%)
- Poland: 43,713 visitors (7.4%)
- Germany: 23,694 tourists (4%)
- Sweden: 20,455 arrivals (3.5%)
- Romania: 17,000 visitors (2.9%)
Significant Increases and Declines
Among the countries contributing to the tourist influx, the Netherlands saw the most substantial growth, with arrivals up by 44.3 per cent compared to July 2024. Poland and Romania also reported impressive increases of 23.3 per cent and 23.6 per cent, respectively.
Conversely, some nations experienced declines in tourist numbers. Greece faced the largest drop, with a 20.8 per cent reduction in arrivals. Sweden’s numbers fell by 13 per cent, while France and Lebanon saw decreases of 10.1 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively. Arrivals from Austria and Switzerland also slipped slightly by 1.7 per cent and 2.2 per cent.
Visitors’ Purpose of Travel
A significant majority of tourists, approximately 85.5 per cent, visited Cyprus for holiday purposes in July 2025. In comparison, 11.6 per cent were in the country to visit friends and family, while 2.8 per cent travelled for business reasons. This indicates a slight shift from July 2024, when 88.7 per cent of visitors were on holiday, and fewer chose to visit friends or travel for business.
Cypriots Travelling Abroad
In July 2025, the number of Cypriot residents returning from trips abroad also increased, rising by 9.1 per cent compared to the same month in 2024. A total of 186,987 residents returned, up from 171,382 the previous year. The primary destinations included:
- Greece: 68,858 residents (36.8%)
- United Kingdom: 17,518 residents (9.4%)
- Italy: 11,117 residents (5.9%)
Most of these trips were for holiday purposes, accounting for 75.1 per cent of all outbound travel. Business trips made up 14.8 per cent, while educational pursuits accounted for 9.1 per cent, and other reasons constituted 1 per cent.
Data Collection Methodology
The statistical service derived these figures from passenger surveys conducted at Larnaca and Paphos airports, alongside administrative data from monthly arrivals at ports. This comprehensive data collection covers all travellers passing through passport control in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus.
Looking Ahead
The rise in tourist numbers in July highlights the resilience of Cyprus’s tourism sector. As travel patterns continue to evolve, the government and local businesses are likely to adapt strategies to capitalise on the increasing interest in the island, ensuring that it remains a top destination for both leisure and business travellers.
