Responding to the latest tourist-related data released by the Statistical Services, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) announced that tourism between January and September 2016 was up 27.6% from the corresponding 2014 period, and markedly better by 49.1% from the corresponding 2009 period.

Tourist spending in 2016 was also up by 15.6% from the same period in 2014 considered as substantial considering the deflation in the Cyprus economy, while the increase in tourist-related revenue was 59.1% in comparison to the corresponding 2009 period.

The 27.4% increase in tourist arrivals in Cyprus is well above the European and International average for the period 2014-2016 which recorded a 7.4% and 8.8% arrivals rate, while for the period 2009-2016, the total increase of tourist arrivals to Cyprus stands at 49.1% again much higher than the European 35.3% and the international 40.0%

The CTO also called for the continuation of efforts to ensure that 2017 would be as successful if not better than 2016 in order to give the economy a much-needed boost.

The CTO cautioned all involved against complacency and to address important internal issues, including illegal modification of buildings, noise pollution, orderliness, cleanliness and profiteering while calling for coordinated efforts to improve the public transport and communication systems.

Source: InCyprus