Brits pull back, Israelis pour in – Cyprus tourism ends August €20m down

Cyprus tourism revenue fell by 3. 4 per cent year-on-year in August to €562 million , as fewer tourists and shorter stays weighed on earnings despite an increase in average daily spending, according to figures released by the statistical service (Cystat) on Friday. Revenue stood at €581. 8m in August 2025, meaning the sector earned €19. 8m less than a year earlier, as tourist arrivals declined from 602,026 to 581,880. The latest figures also show that tourism revenue for the first eight months of 2026 reached €2. 32 billion , down 6. 2 per cent from €2. 47bn during the corresponding period of 2025. The August decline follows a stronger performance in July, when tourism revenue increased by 4. 6 per cent to €536. 5m, supported by higher visitor spending despite slightly lower arrivals. In August, however, average expenditure per tourist remained almost unchanged at €965. 81 , compared with €966.

41 a year earlier. Although the average length of stay declined from 9. 2 days to 8. 9 days, tourists spent more each day, with average daily expenditure increasing from €105. 04 to €108. 52. The United Kingdom remained Cyprus’ largest tourist market , accounting for 30. 5 per cent of total arrivals, followed by Israel with 23. 3 per cent and Poland with 6. 3 per cent. British arrivals fell from 193,091 in August 2025 to 177,603 this year, while the average length of stay shortened from 10. 6 days to 10. 2 days. Spending by British visitors also declined, with average expenditure per person falling from €1,195. 02 to €1,062. 12, while daily spending decreased from €112. 74 to €104. 13. Israel, meanwhile, recorded a substantial increase in arrivals , rising from 105,597 to 135,628, strengthening its position as Cyprus’ second-largest source of tourists. Israeli visitors stayed for an average of five…