In just the first eight months, Cyprus managed to achieve its goal of having more tourists this year than in 2021 and is starting its preparations for a "difficult" year 2023, announced Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios, Cypriot of BNR.

Over 2.1 million tourist arrivals in Cyprus from January to August, the Statistics Office reported.

Their number is more than the almost 2 million visits recorded for the whole of 2021, but still around 80% of the level of the strongest pre-pandemic year for Cyprus tourism, 2019.

"The result allows, in the remaining months of the year, the Cypriot tourism industry to make another push to attract more guests," commented Deputy Minister of Tourism Perdios.

The economy of Cyprus will record growth this year of 5.5% due to tourism

A record is set by France, whose arrivals in Cyprus have so far doubled compared to the whole of 2019.

There is a significant increase overall from EU destinations.

Of these, 40% of this year's tourist visits are made, which is an increase of 22% compared to 2019.

Cyprus will rely on European markets to increase tourist flow in 2023 as well, Deputy Minister Perdios said.

The year is shaping up to be difficult due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, inflation, high energy costs and reduced spending power among tourists.