In May 2026, tourist arrivals decreased by 4.9% and returns of residents declined by 1.7% compared to last year. Main source countries and travel purposes are detailed.
In May 2026, tourist arrivals in Cyprus totaled 455,680, representing a decrease of 4.9% compared to May 2025, which recorded 479,160 arrivals. For the period January–May 2026, arrivals amounted to 1,166,050, down 13.3% from 1,344,486 in the same period of 2025.
The main source countries for May 2026 were the United Kingdom with 36.3% (165,600), Israel with 11.8% (53,649), Poland with 8.2% (37,307), Germany with 6.3% (28,546), and Sweden with 4.9% (22,111).
In May 2026, 75.9% of tourists traveled for holidays, 14.9% visited friends and relatives, and 9.2% traveled for business purposes. Compared to May 2025, the percentage traveling for holidays decreased from 81.2%, visiting friends or relatives increased from 11.1%, and business travel increased from 7.6%.
Returns of residents of Cyprus totaled 140,892 in May 2026, a decrease of 1.7% from 143,296 in May 2025. The main countries of return were Greece (32.4%), the United Kingdom (8.8%), Italy (5.9%), and Poland (4.4%).
The primary purpose of travel for residents was holidays (71.5%), followed by business (23.9%), studies (3.1%), and other reasons (1.4%).
Data are collected from passenger surveys at Larnaka and Pafos airports, as well as from administrative sources, covering all travelers passing through passport control in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus.
For more information, visit the CYSTAT portal or contact Ms. Lucy Panayidou at 22602152 or via email at lpanagidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy.
