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British Tourists Lead, With Israel And Poland Following In Cyprus Tourism Surge

In a robust display of growth, July saw tourist arrivals in Cyprus climb by 6.9% year-over-year, with more than half a million visitors recorded. The latest figures from the state statistical service reveal that 589,116 tourists visited the island in July 2025, up from 551,229 in the same month last year.

Impressive Year-to-Date Growth

The upward trend is confirmed by a 10.4% increase in overall arrivals for the first seven months of 2025, which reached 2,432,129 compared to 2,203,704 during the corresponding period in 2024. This sustained growth underlines Cyprus’ continuing appeal as a premier tourist destination.

Key Source Markets

The United Kingdom remained the largest source of tourists in July, contributing 32.2% of the total with 189,730 visitors. Israel and Poland followed, accounting for 13% (76,557 arrivals) and 7.4% (43,713 arrivals) respectively. Other notable markets included Germany (4%), Sweden (3.5%), and Romania (2.9%).

Market Dynamics And Emerging Trends

The statistical data also highlight notable market variations. The Netherlands experienced the most significant increase in tourist arrivals at 44.3% compared to July 2024, while Poland and Romania saw robust growth rates of 23.3% and 23.6% respectively. In contrast, traditional markets such as Greece and Sweden witnessed declines of 20.8% and 13%, with France and Lebanon also showing notable downturns.

Visitor Profiles And Purpose Of Visit

Analyzing the purpose of travel, the vast majority of tourists (85.5%) visited Cyprus for holidays, followed by 11.6% coming to visit friends and relatives, and 2.8% on business. This distribution closely mirrors the trends from July 2024, albeit with minor shifts in percentages.

Resident Return Trends

Adding to the travel momentum, there was a 9.1% surge in the number of Cypriot residents returning from abroad in July 2025, totaling 186,987 compared to 171,382 the previous year. Greece emerged as the primary return destination, accounting for 36.8% of returning residents, followed by the United Kingdom and Italy.

Conclusion

These latest statistics underscore Cyprus’ dynamic tourism market and its growing appeal among international travelers. The continuing inflow of visitors from diverse markets, alongside strong resident travel performance, positions the island favorably in a competitive tourism landscape.

Bank Of Cyprus Launches Cybersecurity Programme For Students In Limassol

Bank of Cyprus launched a cybersecurity initiative in Limassol as part of its “The Young Ask and Provide Solutions” programme, involving students in simulated cyberattack scenarios. The programme focuses on practical training in cyber defense and awareness of risks linked to digital infrastructure.

Innovative Collaboration And Real-World Challenges

In partnership with the Education Ministry and non-profit organization TechIsland, the programme provided a robust platform for young minds to confront realistic cyberattack simulations. Held at the modern Limassol regional offices of the Bank of Cyprus, the interactive space enabled 60 secondary school students from across the region to collaboratively tackle the complex threats facing national digital infrastructure.

Practical Exercises And Strategic Insights

Participants took part in workshops built around cyberattack scenarios. Tasks included identifying prevention strategies, planning response measures, and proposing public awareness approaches. The exercises focused on coordination and decision-making during cyber incidents.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders

According to Elli Ioannidou, the programme is designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. She said the initiative aims to help students understand real-world challenges and develop problem-solving skills. Additional input was provided by Marios Stavrou, who noted that managing cyber incidents requires coordination across multiple teams and functions.

Building A Resilient Cyber Ecosystem

Experts, including Mathaios Panteli and Tanya Romanyukha highlighted the importance of early digital skills and cybersecurity awareness. Their comments focused on preparing the future workforce skills needed for managing digital risks. The programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and education in Cyprus.

The Bank of Cyprus remains committed to investing in forward-thinking initiatives that inspire youth and enhance community awareness. Through these targeted efforts, the bank is not only addressing immediate security challenges but also contributing to a future where advanced technology and robust cyber defense mechanisms coexist seamlessly.

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The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
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