Cyprus reports a 7% decline in tourist arrivals for the first eight months of 2026

Official data from the Cyprus Statistical Service indicates a downturn in tourism for the period between January and August 2026. Total tourist arrivals reached 2,820,649, representing a 7% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, a year that marked a record high for the country's tourism sector. For the month of August 2026 specifically, arrivals totaled 581,880, down 3.3% from the 602,026 recorded in August 2025, though an increase of 4.9% compared to August 2024.

The United Kingdom remains the primary market for Cyprus, accounting for 30.5% of total August arrivals (177,603), despite an overall downward trend from this market during the eight-month period. Israel followed as the second-largest source, contributing 23.3% (135,628) of arrivals and demonstrating significant growth. Other notable sources included Poland (6.3%), Germany (4.4%), and Sweden (3%).

The primary motivation for visiting the island in August 2026 was vacation, cited by 84.5% of travelers, while 13% visited friends or relatives, and 2.4% traveled for business. The statistics service also noted that 239,337 residents of Cyprus traveled abroad during the same month.