Tourism in Cyprus: Difference between revisions

'''Tourism in Cyprus''' occupies a dominant position in [[Economy of Cyprus|the country's economy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/Cyprus.pdf |title=Cyprus Travel & Tourism - Climbing to new heights. |access-date=2007-03-02 |year=2006 |work=[[Accenture]] |publisher=World Travel and Tourism Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212124957/http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/Cyprus.pdf/ |archive-date=February 12, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cyprus Profile: Cruising to Growth|url=https://www.cyprusprofile.com/sectors/tourism|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.cyprusprofile.com|language=en}}</ref> and has significantly impacted [[Culture of Cyprus|its culture]] and multicultural development throughout the years.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ayres|first=Ron|date=2000-01-01|title=Tourism as a passport to development in small states: reflections on Cyprus|url=https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290010308992|journal=International Journal of Social Economics|volume=27|issue=2|pages=114–133|doi=10.1108/03068290010308992|issn=0306-8293}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=July 2013|title=Opening the vault of tourism in Cyprus|url=https://www.pwc.com.cy/en/publications/assets/cyprus-tourism-study-pwc-eng.pdf|journal=PwCPWC Cyprus teamTeam}}</ref> In 2006, the tourism industry made up 10.7% of the country's GDP and the total employment in the tourism industry was estimated at 113,000 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cyprus – Tourism – Asppen Overseas|url=http://asppenoverseas.com/cyprus-tourism/|access-date=2020-11-09|language=en-US}}</ref> With a usual minimum of around 4

[[Varosha, Famagusta|Varosha]] was once one of the most popular destinations in the world, frequented by Hollywood stars such as [[Marilyn Monroe]], until the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish Invasion of Cyprus]] in 1974. It is now abandoned and the majority of it is guarded by armed troops.<ref>{{Cite web|last=shalw|date=2020-07-31|title=The abandoned town in Cyprus where celebrities used to frolic|url=https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/covid-19/the-abandoned-town-in-cyprus-where-celebrities-used-to-frolic/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Sound Health and Lasting Wealth|language=en-US}}</ref>

The majority of tourist arrivals are from elsewhere in Europe. Over 80% of visitors come from [[Northern Europe|Northern]], [[Western Europe|Western]], and [[Eastern Europe]], with British tourists remaining the most numerous. Several factors contribute to this, including widely spoken English, as well as the [[British Cyprus|history of British colonialism]] and the presence of British military bases at [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia]]. The downturn in the British economy [[Late 2000s recession|in the late 2000s]] was reflected by a drop in tourist arrivals, highlighting the over-reliance of Cyprus' tourist industry on one market. In 2009, efforts were underway to boost arrivals from other countries.<ref>{{cite news | title=Cyprus taps new markets amid decline in tourist arrivals | date=March 23, 2009 | publisher=[[Xinhua]] | url =http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90858/90865/6619445.html | access-date = 2009-03-23 }}</ref> In line with contemporary geopolitical developments, Russian tourists became the second largest group in terms of arrivals; this began in the late 2000s and has been rapidly increasing ever since.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SigmaLive: Russian tourism: Cyprus and Greece in top choices|url=http://www.sigmalive.com/en/lifestyle/travel/146066/russian-tourism-cyprus-and-greece-in-top-choices|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.sigmalive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Russian Tourism: Increase in Demand for Holidays in Cyprus and Greece|url=http://www.goldnews.com.cy/en/hotel--tourism--leisure/russian-tourism--increase-in-demand-for-holidays-in-cyprus-and-greece|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.goldnews.com.cy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Why do Russians choose Cyprus? {{!}} Cyprus Inorm {{!}} Cyprus inform|url=https://www.kiprinform.com/en/cyprus_interesting/why-do-russians-choose-cyprus/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.kiprinform.com}}</ref>

! style="width:5px; background:#00966E;"|Rank

! style="width:130px; background:#00966E;"| Country

! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"| 2016

! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"| 2017

! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"| 2018

|8||{{flagcountry|Switzerland}}<br />(including {{flagcountry|Liechtenstein}}) || 46,602 || {{increase}} 57,540 || {{increase}} 74,216

AccordingIn 2011, according to the [[World Economic Forum]]'s 2013 [[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report]], Cyprus' tourism industry rankswas 29th in the world in terms of overall competitiveness. Inbut termsmanaged ofto Tourismsecure Infrastructure,first inplace relation to thefor tourism industry Cyprus ranks 1st in the worldinfrastructure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index |year=2011 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/51084876/Cyprus-Travel-Tourism-Competitiveness-Report-2011-Country-Profile |work=[[World Economic Forum]] |access-date=2011-06-01}}</ref> With some of the most popular and cleanest beaches in Europe,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/revealed-europes-best-beach-getaways-2263127.html | location=London | work=The Independent | title=Revealed: Europe's best beach getaways | date=2011-04-05}}</ref> and cleanest beaches in Europe,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575544 | work=BBC News | title=EU bathing water continues to improve, says report | date=2013-05-21}}</ref> much of the tourist industryisland relies on "seathe "sun, sea, and sand" mantra to attract tourists.<ref>{{cite news |first=Larry |last=Habegger |title=World Watch - European Clean Beaches |date=2007-06-10 |url=httphttps://www.chicagotribunethemaxtravel.com/travelgde-luchshie-plyazhi-protarasa/chi |archive-0610worldwatchjun10,0,5446426url=https://web.story?trackarchive.org/web/20220109181810/https://themaxtravel.com/gde-luchshie-plyazhi-protarasa/ |url-status=rssdead |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=2007-06-11 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This reflectsis reflected in the seasonal distribution of tourist arrivals, with a disproportionate numbermassive arrivingincrease during the summer months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cyprus Tourism GP Citizenship|url=http://www.gp-citizenship.com/cyprus-tourism.php|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.gp-citizenship.com}}</ref> WhereasResorts mostin easternthe resortsisland's likeeast and southeast, such as [[ProtarasAyia Napa]] and [[Ayia NapaProtaras]], attractsrely thealmost mostsolely ofon tourism and attract the islandoverwhelming majority of their tourists duringfrom March to November,; thetourist westdestinations ofin the islandwest remainsand opensouthwest, tosuch tourismas with[[Limassol]] theand promotion[[Paphos]], ofare Cypriotsupported historyby cultureother industries and specializedthus sportsremain suchopen asto golftourism andeven climbingduring hasthe amuch widercolder distributionwinter months.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

TheA report by the [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] 2016 report on the island outlinesrevealed that the total investment in the TravelCyprus' & Tourismtourism industry inthroughout 2015 was EUR273[[euro|€]]273.7mn7 million, orrepresenting 14.0% of theoverall totalinvestment investmentsin the island. It projectsprojected a rise by 5.3% rise in 2016 and a subsequent 2.9% parise each year over the next ten yearsdecade to EUR384€384.6mn6 million in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Travel and Tourism Council: Travel & Tourism - Economic Impact 2016 Cyprus. Documents download module|url=https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5c137a646&appId=PPGMS|access-date=2020-11-09|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref>

===Blue FlagsFlag beaches===

According to thea latest2020 report by [[KPMG]] report, Cyprus has the most densedensest concentration of [[Blue Flag beach]]es (most of which are in the mosteast) atin the eastern partworld, the most Blue Flag beaches per [[Geography of the European Union|coastline]] in the world, and the most Blue Flags per capita in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-04|title=Insights - KPMG Cyprus|url=https://home.kpmg/cy/en/home/insights.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=KPMG|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Language & serviceLanguages===

English is the universalisland's primary [[bridge language]], sincepartially due to it being [[British Cyprus|under British control]] until 1960 but primarily because it relies heavily on tourism, with British tourists by far comprising the islandbiggest hasgroup anof internationalyearly outlookvisitors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cyprus: Important Phrases - Tripadvisor|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g190372-s604/Cyprus:Important.Phrases.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.tripadvisor.com|language=en}}</ref> Russian iswas also widely spoken withinin the tourist industry until the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] caused a drastic decrease in the number of Russian tourists, who had previously been the island's second largest group of yearly visitors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Cypriot language {{!}} Cyprus Inorm {{!}} Cyprus inform|url=https://www.kiprinform.com/en/cyprus_interesting/the-cypriot-language/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=www.kiprinform.com}}</ref> Greek and Turkish remain the main languages spoken by the native Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal|lastlast1=Hadjioannou|firstfirst1=Xenia|last2=Tsiplakou|first2=Stavroula|last3=Kappler|first3=with a contribution by Matthias|date=2011-11-01|title=Language policy and language planning in Cyprus|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2011.629113|journal=Current Issues in Language Planning|volume=12|issue=4|pages=503–569|doi=10.1080/14664208.2011.629113|issn=1466-4208|hdl=10278/29371|s2cid=143966308 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>

===Personnel & educationEducation===

InA 2012, [[Eurostat]] reportedreport revealed that Cyprus is the second most educated country in Europe after Ireland, sincewith 49.9% of Cyprus'sits residents haveholding university degrees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ireland the most educated country in EU, says Eurostat|url=https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20130412132724421|access-date=2020-11-09|website=University World News}}</ref> In 2013, onlyCyprus threecame otherin fourth place on the list of EU Membercountries Statesthat had invested morethe most public funds in education than Cyprus, as measured by the share of GDP (6.5% compared to a 5.0% EU average).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Education and Training|url=https://ec.europa.eu/education/node_en|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Education and Training - European Commission|language=en}}</ref>