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Record high tourist arrivals in August

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2024

Tourist arrivals set a new record in August, reaching 554,923, exceeding the corresponding arrivals of August 2019, the record year for Cypriot tourism, by 0.20%.

According to Cystat, from January to August 2024, tourist arrivals totaled 2,758,627 compared to 2,648,795 in the corresponding period of 2023, recording an increase of 4.1%.

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Compared to the arrivals of tourists in August 2023, arrivals in August 2024 went up by 8.5%.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom were the main source of tourism for August 2024, with a share of 34.7% (192,424) of total arrivals, followed by Israel with 13.3% (74,032), Poland with 7.7% (42,650), Germany with 4.2% (23,068) and Sweden with 4.1% (22,508).

Returns of residents of Cyprus down 3.6%

Moreover, a total number of 192,756 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in August 2024 compared to 199,920 in the corresponding month last year, recording a decrease of 3.6%.

The main countries from which residents of Cyprus returned in August 2024 were Greece with a share of 39.1% (75,381), the United Kingdom with 6.6% (12,718), Russia with 4.4% (8,538) and Italy with 4.1% (7,926).

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Cyprus Construction Trends: Permit Count Slips While Value and Scale Surge in 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 11, 2025

The Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) has reported a notable shift in the construction landscape for 2025. The latest figures reveal a modest 1.9% decline in building permits issued in March compared to the same month last year, signaling a nuanced trend in the nation’s developmental activities.

Permit Count Decline in March

In March 2025, authorities authorised 572 building permits—down from 583 in March 2024. The permits, which total a value of €361.5 million and cover 296,900 square metres of construction, underscore a cautious pace in permit approval despite ongoing projects. Notably, these permits are set to facilitate the construction of 1,480 dwelling units, reflecting an underlying demand in the housing sector.

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Q1 2025: Growth in Value, Construction Area, and Dwelling Units

While the number of permits in the first quarter (January to March) decreased by 15.8% from 1,876 to 1,580, more significant, economically relevant metrics saw robust growth. Total permit value surged by 21.7%, and the authorised construction area expanded by 15.6%. Additionally, the number of prospective dwelling units increased by 16.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. This divergence suggests that although fewer permits were issued, the scale and ambition of the approved projects have intensified.

New Regulatory Framework and the Ippodamos System

Since 1 July 2024, a pivotal transition has taken place in permit administration. The responsibility for issuing permits has moved from municipalities and district administration offices to the newly established local government organisations (EOAs). The integrated information system, Ippodamos, now oversees the licensing process, streamlining data collection on both residential and non-residential projects across urban and rural areas.

Comprehensive Data Collection for Enhanced Oversight

The Ippodamos system categorises construction projects using the EU Classification of Types of Construction (CC). This platform gathers extensive data on the number of permits authorised, project area and value, and the expected number of dwelling units. It covers a broad spectrum of construction activities—from new builds and civil engineering projects to plot divisions and road construction—while excluding renewals and building divisions. The thoroughness of this new regulatory structure promises greater operational transparency and more informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders.