Filenews 20 November 2021 - by Adamos Adamou
The indications that existed for a very good tourist October were confirmed yesterday by the Statistical Service, confirming at the same time the latest estimates of the Deputy Minister of Tourism that the tourist year will close, for all arrivals, around 45% of the arrivals of 2019.
As shown by the data announced yesterday, tourist arrivals last month reached the highest point for this year and almost the same level as those of 2019, which was known to be the best year for tourism, in terms of arrivals.
Specifically, tourist arrivals in October 2021 amounted to 391,638, presenting an increase of 288.6% compared to October 2020 (during which 100,791 arrivals were recorded), as well as a decrease of 10.3% compared to October 2019 (with 436,509 arrivals). For the period January – October 2021, tourist arrivals amounted to 1,691,030 compared to 612,975 in the corresponding period of 2020, recording an increase of 175.9% and a decrease of 54.3% compared to the period January – October 2019 (3,697,055 arrivals).
As shown by the data of the Statistical Service, for the second consecutive month arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main market for Cypriot tourism while until August it was the Russian market that had the lead.
According to the Statistical Office, arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main source of tourism for October, having constituted 31.8% (124,501) of total arrivals, arrivals from Russia 19.6% (76,613), arrivals from Germany 7.1% (27,623), arrivals from Poland 4.1% (16,154), arrivals from Greece 4.0% (15,669) and arrivals from Ukraine 3.9% (15,254).
Positive omens for '22
The main market for Cypriot tourism, the British one, shows that it will contribute greatly to the continuation of the recovery of tourism next year. This emerges from the contacts that the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Savvas Perdios, has had in London over the last 24 hours, with tour operators, airlines and other UK tourism operators.
As part of his visit to the British capital, the Deputy Minister of Tourism presented on Thursday night the renewed product that Cyprus offers as a tourist destination to tour operators.
Speaking to the CNA, on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Perdios said that the presentation made to the tour operators was the result of 18 months of hard work, so that Cyprus could highlight other aspects of its product, beyond the sun and the sea.
On what Cyprus should expect from tourism for 2022, he commented: "Despite all the difficulties we are facing today due to the pandemic, it seems that the omens are good, at least from the UK market."
The secretary of state made the same assessment in statements to "F", stating that the contacts he had with TUI, Jet2, easyJet, but also with many smaller tour operators, show that the omens are positive for 2022, the year as he said that the recovery of tourism will continue. The Deputy Minister also revealed, speaking to "F", that for the time being the searches regarding Cyprus and the trips to our country exceed those of 2019, but clarified that in order for these searches to become reservations, a lot of work is needed, without meaning, he clarified, that we will return next year to the performance of 2019. He estimated, however, that the increased internet searches allow optimism to achieve the goal set for the new year so that arrivals can surpass those of this year.
