Cyprus Tourism Surges Over 10% in September — Growth Led by UK, Israel, and Germany

Cyprus Sees 12% Rise in September Tourists as Israel, Germany, and UK Lead Growth

Cyprus posted a robust September 2025 for tourism, with a 12% year-on-year increase in arrivals and a nine-month total that underscores continued strength in the island’s travel sector. The Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) reported 570,635 visitors in September, up from 509,463 in the same month of 2024, contributing to a solid start to late‑year demand and a 10.3% rise for January–September 2025 compared with the prior year. This marks Cyprus’ ongoing appeal as a Mediterranean hub for leisure and culture.​

Key source markets and shifts

• United Kingdom remains the dominant feeder market, accounting for roughly 31.4% of arrivals and driving around 179,000 visitors in September alone, highlighting the enduring appeal of Cyprus to British travelers despite broader regional travel fluctuations.​

• Israel and Germany showed standout growth, with Israel increasing by about 46.8% to 80,115 arrivals in September and Germany expanding nearly 40% to 34,348 visitors, signaling a diversification of Cyprus’ international audience into both Middle Eastern and central European markets.​

• Eastern European gains also materialized, with Poland and Romania contributing notable shares and Romania up about 22.2% y/y, broadening Cyprus’ visitor base beyond traditional Western European markets.​

Trip composition and longer-term trends

• Holiday travel dominates: About 84.8% of visitors in September came for holidays, confirming Cyprus’ status as a go-to Mediterranean escape offering beaches, ancient sites, and a mix of luxury and value options for families, couples, and solo travelers.​

• A growing share of business travel exists as well, making up around 5% of arrivals, reflecting Cyprus’ evolving role as a conference and corporate retreat hub due to its geographic position between Europe and the Middle East.​

• Outbound Cypriots: September also saw a rise in Cypriot residents traveling abroad, reinforcing Cyprus’ strong international connectivity and the island’s appeal as a year-round destination with expanding airline connectivity.​

Outlook and implications

• Sustained growth: With a positive trajectory across multiple markets, Cyprus aims to sustain momentum through ongoing infrastructure upgrades, expanded luxury offerings, and strengthened cultural heritage programming, while balancing growth with sustainability and eco-tourism initiatives.​

• Tourism mix: The diverse source markets—UK, Israel, Germany, Poland, and Romania—underscore Cyprus’ ability to draw a broad cross-section of travelers seeking sun, history, and Mediterranean culture, which supports resilience against market-specific shocks in any single region.​

Direct takeaway

• September 2025 reinforces Cyprus’ status as a resilient and diversified Mediterranean destination, posting double-digit gains from several key markets and contributing to a strong nine-month performance that portends continued growth in 2025 and beyond. The combination of holiday-focused demand and expanding international markets positions Cyprus well for sustained tourism success, supported by ongoing infrastructure and experience enhancements.