1. The Department of Statistics and Research announces that in May 1999 the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 319.562 recording an increase of 10,4% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-May 1999 arrivals of travellers reached 935.391 compared to 870.690 in the corresponding period of 1998, recording an increase of 7,4%.

2. Arrivals of tourists reached 273.317 in May 1999 compared to 242.833 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 12,6%. For the period January-May 1999 arrivals of tourists reached 711.670 compared to 649.786 in the corresponding period of 1998, i.e. an increase of 9,5%.

The main countries of tourist arrivals are the United Kingdom with 50,0%, Germany with 8,2%, Sweden with 7,2%, Russia with 5,0%, Switzerland with 3,8%, Norway with 2,8% and Netherlands with 2,7%. The overwhelming majority, 80,5% of tourist arrivals was from countries of the European Union.

3. In May 1999, 35.098 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 31.442 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-May 1999, 179.084 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 169.577 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 5,6%.

4. In may 1999 the number of excursionists, cruise-ship visitors and transit at ports/airports reached 8.861, long-term immigrants 311, short-term immigrants 1.065 and 910 were same-day tourists.

Further information can be obtained from the report "Tourism and Travel Statistics, May 1999, No. 148".