The Cyprus Statistical Service reported a 4.9% decline in tourist arrivals for May 2026 compared to May 2025, with visitor numbers falling to 455,680 from 479,160. Over the first five months of 2026, total arrivals dropped by 13.3%, reaching 1,166,050 compared to 1,344,486 for the same period last year. The UK remained the largest source market, accounting for 36.3% of visitors, followed by Israel, Poland, Germany, and Sweden.

Holiday travel remained the primary reason for visits, comprising 75.9% of arrivals, although this marked a decrease from 81.2% in May 2025. Visits to friends and relatives increased to 14.9%, while business travel rose to 9.2%. Concurrently, the number of Cypriot residents returning from trips abroad fell slightly by 1.7% in May 2026 compared to the previous year. Greece was the leading origin for returning residents, followed by the UK, Italy, and Poland.

These latest statistics reflect a general slowdown in both inbound tourism and outbound travel activity for Cyprus after several years of strong growth, indicating shifting travel patterns and market dynamics for the island’s tourist sector.