Cyprus tourism income rises 3.8% in 2010

Tourism revenues in Cyprus rose 3.8 per cent, official data showed, boosting confidence of an economic recovery in the EU member state.

Revenue for January to December 2010 reached €1.54 billion compared with €1.49 billion for 2009.

Income from tourism accounts for nearly 12 per cent of gross domestic product of the holiday island.

It is the first rise in income from tourism since 2007 when tourism yielded €1.85 billion, despite December’s severe weather across Europe curtailing arrivals.

In December, tourists spent €40.9 million in Cyprus – 4.2 per cent less than the €42.7 million they brought in to the Cypriot economy in December 2009.

The recession-hit Irish were the biggest spenders at an average €153.2 per day, while the Danes were the most frugal, spending just €30.4.

The number of holidaymakers to Cyprus hit a high of 2.69 million in 2001, spending a record €2.17 billion. The government predicts improved tourism income will help the economy to grow by around 1.5 per cent in 2011 after an unprecedented year-long recession in 2009.