Cyprus: europe’s ‘rising star’?

Cyprus’ popularity seems to be increasing despite the current financial climate…

With the strength of the euro and an international credit crisis you would be forgiven for assuming that tourists and potential investors were being dissuaded from travelling abroad, however even in light of current economic circumstances Cyprus’ star is rising high.

The latest official figures from the Cyprus Ministry for Tourism show that overall numbers of visitors to Cyprus increased from 219,263 in January to March 2007 to 228,962 in the same period in 2008. This increase of 4.4% year on year shows the increasing popularity of this country, with visitors from the UK topping the list for tourist visitors to Cyprus.

Figures for UK tourist arrivals hit 110,736 in January to March 2008 from 2007 figures of 108,542, an increase of 2%. This positive growth is encouraging given the current financial climate, with UK residents still choosing to visit Cyprus and in ever-increasing numbers.

Discovering Cyprus

EU visitors to the Mediterranean island have grown at an equally healthy rate as the UK, indicating that the country’s 2004 entry into the European Union has done wonders for tourism levels. From a 2007 January to March figure of 186,478 to a 2008 January to March figure of 196,147, EU visitors to Cyprus have increased by 5.2%.

Martin Pearce, UK Sales Director for Aristo Developers comments “It is refreshing that in a climate where there is much talk of a global credit crunch and diminishing tourist figures that statistics actually show that visitors the Cyprus are growing year on year.

“With numbers of those travelling from the EU and specifically the UK growing at a such positive rate, it is clear that more and more people are discovering the wonders of Cyprus’ ancient sites, cultural variety and stunning scenery.”