1. The Statistical Service announces that in May 2001 the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 391.729 recording an increase of 5,3% compared to the corresponding month last year. For the period January-May 2001 arrivals of travellers reached 1.133.688 compared to 1.070.021 in the corresponding period of 2000, recording an increase of 6,0%.

2. Arrivals of tourists reached 333.563 in May 2001 compared to 299.355 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 11,4%. For the period January-May 2001 arrivals of tourists reached 874.768 compared to 807.424 in the corresponding period of 2000, i.e. an increase of 8,3%.

The main countries of tourist arrivals in May 2001 were the United Kingdom with 58,0%, Germany with 7,9%, Sweden with 4,9%, Russia with 3,7%, Greece with 3,5%, Norway with 2,5%, and Switzerland with 2,5%. The overwhelming majority, 85,3% of tourist arrivals was from countries of the European Union.

3. In May 2001, 41.036 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 48.725 in the corresponding month last year. For the period January-May 2001, 199.470 residents returned from a trip abroad compared to 198.010 in the corresponding period last year recording an increase of 0,7%.

4. In May 2001 the number of same-day visitors reached 14.502 of which 1.548 were same-day tourists and 12.954 excursionists. Long-term immigrants numbered 1.198 and short-term immigrants 1.150.

Further information can be obtained from the report "Tourism and Travel Statistics, May 2001, No. 172".