Strong December Performance Sets the Stage
Cyprus has recorded a significant surge in tourist arrivals in December 2025, as evidenced by the latest data from the Cyprus Statistical Service. The island welcomed 156,959 visitors in December 2025, marking an 18.0% increase compared to the same period last year. This performance underscores a robust finish to the year and highlights the resilience of the tourism sector.
Key Markets Fueling Growth
Analysis of the December data reveals that visitors from Israel and the United Kingdom were the primary drivers of growth. Israel emerged as the largest source market, accounting for 19.1% of arrivals with 30,020 visitors. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom contributed 19.0% with 29,826 arrivals, despite a modest decline of 5.3% compared to December 2024.
Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram
Other notable market contributions include Poland, which recorded a 42.5% annual increase to reach 17,779 arrivals (11.3% share), and Germany, where arrivals rose by 53.5% to 11,569. Additionally, Greece attracted 11,413 visitors, representing 7.3% of the total despite a 4.6% drop year on year. France and Romania also posted notable gains, with increases of 55.6% and 61.6%, respectively. Hungary and Austria led the growth among smaller markets, with increases of 81.8% and 37.8%, respectively, while declines were observed among visitors from Norway and Denmark.
Diverse Visitor Profiles and Broader Travel Trends
Beyond the raw numbers, the data reveals evolving travel behaviors. In December 2025, 56.4% of tourists visited Cyprus for holidays, a rise from 49.6% a year earlier. Visits to friends and relatives decreased to 32.0% from 37.5%, and business travel accounted for 11.3% of visits, down from 12.7%. The analysis also noted a substantial 29.6% year-over-year increase in arrivals from Israel, reinforcing its status as a critical market during the winter tourism season.
Outbound Travel on the Rise
Cypriot residents also increased their international travel, with 193,007 returning from abroad in December 2025 compared to 168,022 in the previous year – a 14.9% rise. The majority of returning travelers headed to Greece, which accounted for 28.4% of all returns. The United Kingdom and Poland were the next most popular destinations. Notably, 69.3% of these trips were taken for holidays, while studies and business ventures made up 15.0% and 14.9%, respectively.
Conclusion
The comprehensive data, derived from rigorous passenger surveys at Larnaca and Paphos airports and supplemented by port data, paints a robust picture of Cyprus’s tourism sector. With diverse source markets and evolving visitor profiles, Cyprus is well-positioned to leverage its popularity and further strengthen its position as a leading winter destination in the Mediterranean.
