Cypriot residents demonstrated a significant surge in their travel habits in 2024, with overall participation in overnight trips—both within Cyprus and abroad—rising by 9.1%. A total of 543,526 residents took at least one personal trip of an overnight duration, up from 498,026 in 2023, according to figures released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus.
The data points to a key behavioural shift: a major increase in residents taking both domestic and international trips.
The Rise of the Dual Traveler
While total domestic and outbound trips both saw moderate increases, the most striking finding concerns the change in traveler demographics:
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Mixed Travelers Surge: The number of individuals who participated in both domestic and outbound trips soared by 30.8%, reaching 209,411 persons in 2024.
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Outbound-Only Dips: Conversely, the number of residents who only traveled abroad decreased by 6.6%, dropping to 169,525. This suggests that many Cypriots who previously only traveled internationally are now also exploring local options.
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Domestic-Only Rises: Residents who participated only in domestic trips increased by a steady 5.2%, totaling 164,590 persons.
Total Trip Volume and Accommodation Choices
Overall, the volume of trips grew across the board, with the vast majority being for personal purposes:
| Trip Type | 2024 Total Trips | Annual Change (YoY) | Primary Purpose |
| Domestic | 1.62 million | +3.5% | 98.5% Personal |
| Outbound | 1.75 million | +4.3% | 86.4% Personal |
Accommodation preferences differed significantly based on the destination:
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Domestic Trips: The use of rented accommodation (hotels, hostels, etc.) slightly edged out the use of non-rented stays (own home, relatives/friends), accounting for 51.2% of all domestic trips.
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Outbound Trips: Travelers overwhelmingly preferred rented accommodation, which constituted 72.7% of all overnight stays abroad.
Domestic Tourism Expenditure
Total expenditure for domestic trips reached €300.1 million in 2024, recording a marginal 2.5% increase from the previous year. The money spent locally was concentrated in two key areas of the tourism value chain:
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Accommodation: Comprised the largest share of spending at 37.4%.
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Food and Drinks: Spending in cafes and restaurants was nearly equal, accounting for 35.8% of the total domestic expenditure.
Source: Stockwatch.com.cy