KOT: 2015 is the best year in the history of tourism

In 2015, the most successful summer period (April-October) in the history of Cypriot tourism was recorded, with 2.282.792 arrivals.

According to an announcement by the CTO, the July - September quarter is recorded as the best quarter, compared to any other quarter of any year (1.167.698).

The months of September (360,899), August (392,272) and July (414,527) 2015 were months of historically high arrivals, while July is recorded as the historically best arrival month of all time.

In 2015, it is reported, it surpassed 2014 by 218.000 arrivals, recording an increase of 8,9% and reaching 2.659.405 arrivals, a performance that exceeds more than half a million arrivals in 2009, which was the main year of the crisis.

Regarding the main markets for Cypriot tourism, it is noted that compared to 2014 the United Kingdom recorded an increase of 19,5%, Greece 38,2%, Germany 29,9%, Israel 43,3%, Poland 49,3 %, Ukraine 23,2%, Austria 35,3%, France 25,0%, Netherlands 32,0%, among others.

Regarding the second largest market, Russia, it is recalled that the year had started under very negative conditions, since the prescribed reduction, due to the political and economic data in the country, was inevitable. Fortunately, it is noted that although outbound Russian tourism worldwide has more than doubled internationally, Cyprus has managed to reduce it to -17,6%.

However, in view of the size of the market, the decrease in absolute numbers was reflected in the 112 thousand arrivals, as noted by the CTO. "In order to understand the amount of the reported reduction, it is noted that if the rest of our markets remained at the same levels of 2014, then, due to Russia, the total arrivals of Cyprus for 2015 would be reduced by 5%."

This highlights the particular and growing importance of the total increase of 9% achieved, as it took a multiplier net increase of our remaining markets of 330.000, to first cover the decrease due to Russia by 112.000 and an additional total increase of 218.000 arrivals.

Regarding the views expressed by some circles that this year's success lies in international developments and circumstances, the CTO states that the historically highest performance of specific months and periods mentioned above was not essentially related to the tragic events in Tunisia and of Egypt since in relation to the issue of Tunisia, current summer season, with the very limited availability of beds, there was no room for significant further increases, while due to the events in Egypt (October 31, 15) Cyprus absorbed additional tourist flow only last two months of 2015.

Regarding the wider use of the opportunities that are created, the CTO expects the hotel industry to show more flexibility and adaptability for proper use of data, both in terms of maintaining open units in the winter, and in dealing with the problem of room allocation. , mainly for the summer season, to new Travel Organizers who want to be active in our country. "It is very important to have business courage and to make the necessary business openings to build new, healthy bases for the tourist future of the place."

Regarding 2016, the only fact is that the hard work of the CTO will continue to achieve even better results, he said, noting that the distorted data of the geopolitical landscape, the unpleasant events in our region and the ongoing threat of terrorism, are expected to negatively affect global tourism traffic, but also the region of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, with which potential visitors inevitably associate Cyprus due to geography.

Fears of a chain reaction to the viability of major Travel Organizers are also noted, due to the financial losses that exist in certain countries, with a possible transfer of the negative economic impact to other destinations, the CTO announcement concludes.

Source: KYPE