1. The Statistical Service announces that in March 2000 the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 182.357 recording an increase of 5,4% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-March 2000 arrivals of travellers reached 414.464 compared to 378.762 in the corresponding period of 1999, recording an increase of 9,4%.
2. Arrivals of tourists reached 135.487 in March 2000 compared to 126.494 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 7,1%. For the period January-March 2000 arrivals of tourists reached 286.283 compared to 258.276 in the corresponding period of 1999, i.e. an increase of 10,8%.
   
   The main countries of tourist arrivals in March 2000 were the United Kingdom with 47,9%, Germany with 14,5%, Greece with 5,0%, Russia with 3,5%, Sweden with 2,8%, Finland with 2,6% and Belgium with 2,3%. The overwhelming majority, 83,4% of tourist arrivals was from countries of the European Union.
3. In March 2000, 37.313 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 37.325 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-March 2000, 107.275 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 101.465 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 5,7%.
4. In March 2000 the number of same-day visitors reached 6.959 of which 1.147 were same-day tourists and 5.812 excursionists. Long-term immigrants numbered 804 and short-term immigrants 1.793.

Further information can be obtained from the report "Tourism and Travel Statistics, March 2000, No. 158".