The Department of Statistics and Research announces that in April 1999 arrivals of travellers, including excursionists, reached 237.067 recording an increase of 0,3% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-April 1999 arrivals of travellers, including excursionists, reached 615.829 compared to 581.295 in the corresponding period last year, recording an increase of 5,9%.

The number of excursionists (transit at ports/airports and cruise-ship visitors) in April 1999 reached 11.079 compared to 9.058 in April 1998.

Arrivals of tourists reached 180.076 in April 1999 compared to 179.452 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 0,3%. For the period January-April 1999 arrivals of tourists reached 438.353 compared to 406.953 in the corresponding period last year, recording an increase of 7,7%.

Analysis of tourists arrivals in April 1999 by country of usual residence shows that 78,3% were residents of the European Union. The main countries are in order of importance the United Kingdom with 37,5%, Germany with 14,4%, Greece with 5,6%, Sweden with 5,6%, Switzerland with 4,7%, Russia with 4,2% and Israel with 3,4%.

In April 1999, 42.520 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 42.610 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-April 1999, 143.986 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 138.134 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 4,2%.

In April 1999, 500 persons came as long-term immigrants while short-term immigrants totalled 1.367 persons and 1.523 were same-day tourists.

Further information can be obtained from the report "Tourism and Travel Statistics, April 1999, No. 147".