Tourism

TOURISM

The economic recession in many European countries, foreign exchange fluctuations and the high accommodation rate which were initially given by the hoteliers compared to 1992 and to other competitive destinations resulted in a tourism flow of 1,841,000 tourists in 1993 as against 1,991,000 in 1992. In 1993 the average expenditure per tourist increased by 8% as compared to 1992 (Cyprus Pounds 379,60 in 1993 and Cyprus Pounds 351,65 in 1992), and receipts from tourism reached Cyprus Pounds 696 million in 1993 compared to Cyprus Pounds 694 million in the previous year.

The growing tourism sector now employs some 35,000 people directly involved in the industry representing 13,2% of the gainfully employed population.

The island's bed capacity has increased from 10,796 in 1973 to 73,657 by the end of December 1993 - no mean achievement, considering the Turkish occupation of 1974 and the occupation of the harbourside town of Kyrenia and the principal resort of Ammochostos (Famagusta) which meant a considerable drop in bed capacity.

What attracts the holiday-maker to Cyprus, in addition to plenty of sun, sand and sea, is the hospitality and friendship of its people, most of whom speak English.

Another attraction is that there is such a variety of things to do for a tourist in Cyprus. Apart from the swimming, wind-surfing and so-on, the holiday-maker can drive up to pine forested mountains along the southern vineyards and indulge in a glance at history by inspecting archaeological excavations which have laid bare ancient settlements, rich burial sites, beautiful mosaics and pottery. Cyprus' history goes back to the 7th Millennium BC.

One particular interesting factor in tourist statistics is that a significant number of holidaymakers who come to Cyprus are "repeat visitors" - the best award a tourist could perhaps give a holiday destination.

One more point: all that the island offers has become during the last ten years, for many holiday-makers in Europe, 100 miles or so closer, with Pafos Airport at the extreme west of Cyprus, direct flights from Europe can now land a few miles from a rapidly developing tourist area in and around Pafos - not to speak of easier access to the Limassol area.