Cyprus Places Second Among EU Destinations for Foreign Tourist Overnights

Cyprus has emerged as one of Europe’s most internationally driven tourism markets, ranking second among EU member states for the share of overnight stays generated by foreign visitors during the first quarter of 2026.

Recent figures released by Eurostat show that international travelers accounted for 85.6% of all tourist accommodation nights recorded in Cyprus between January and March. Only Malta reported a higher proportion, while Luxembourg secured third place.

The data highlights Cyprus’ continued appeal as a global travel destination, significantly outperforming the European Union average, where foreign guests represented less than half of total overnight stays.

Tourism accommodation across the island recorded steady activity during the opening months of the year, with overnight stays exceeding 368,000 in January, rising to 476,000 in February and surpassing 500,000 in March.

Compared with the same period in 2025, Cyprus experienced strong year-on-year growth at the beginning of the year. Overnight stays increased by more than 14% in January and over 32% in February, reflecting robust international demand and a strong start to the tourism season.

Across the European Union, tourist accommodation establishments registered more than 471 million overnight stays during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year. International travel remained the primary growth driver, with foreign visitor nights rising at a faster pace than domestic tourism.

The latest statistics reinforce Cyprus’ position as one of the Mediterranean’s most attractive destinations, benefiting from its favorable climate, modern infrastructure, and growing reputation among international travelers and investors alike.