The Department of Statistics and Research announces that in September 1998 arrivals of travellers, including excursionists, reached 331.988 recording an increase of 12,5% compared to the corresponding month last year, while departures reached 340.792 recording an increase of 14,4% compared to September 1997.

The majority of travellers, excluding excursionists, arrived in September 1998 on flights or ships which had as country of origin European countries, 84,9% and European Union countries in particular, 70,0%. Looking at individual countries, the United Kingdom is as always leading the list with 42,1% of travellers arrivals followed by Israel with 8,2%, Greece with 8,1%, Germany with 5,7%, Switzerland with 4,6%, Sweden with 4,3%, Russia with 3,7%, and Egypt with 2,8%.

The number of excursionists (transit at ports and cruise-ship visitors) in September 1998 reached 14.368 compared to 9.326 in September 1997.

Arrivals of tourists reached 270.283 in September 1998 compared to 242.625 in the corresponding month last year, recording an increase of 11,4%. Of these 46,6% were males and 53,4% were females. The mean age of tourists arriving in Cyprus in September 1998 was 39,6 years. Analysis by country of usual residence shows that 77,1% were residents of the European Union. The main countries are in order of importance the United Kingdom accounting for 51,0% of tourists arrivals, Germany with 7,2%, Sweden with 5,3%, Russia with 5,3%, and Switzerland with 4,8%.

During September 1998 the majority of tourists 91,5% stated that they intended to stay in hotels or similar establishments, 5,0% with relatives and friends and 3,5% elsewhere.

For those tourists stating duration of stay less than one month, the mean intended duration of stay was 10,8 nights; for those stating less than one year the mean intended duration of stay was 11,1 nights. The mean intended duration of stay for September 1997 was 11,6 and 12,1 nights respectively. The median intended duration of stay was 14,0 nights for September 1998 the same as for September 1997.

In September 1998, 42.563 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad compared to 38.976 in the corresponding month last year. About 35,0% had visited Greece, 15,9% the United Kingdom, 7,9% Israel, 6,3% Lebanon and 3,0% Russia. A percentage of 68,1% of Cypriots travelling abroad stated that holidays was the main reason for travelling, 24,3% stated business and 3,7% studies.

The mean age for residents of Cyprus returning from a trip abroad in September 1998 was 38,5 years. The majority 48,4% were in the group of 25-44 years, 29,1% in the group 45-64 years and 13,4% in the group of 15-24 years.

Further information can be obtained from the report "Tourism and Travel Statistics, September, 1998, No. 140".