Cyprus’s tourism income spiked 53.5 per cent in April, compared to the same month last year, raising hopes of a bumper summer for the Mediterranean holiday island, according to official figures.

Revenue from the key tourism sector reached €136.7 million in April against €89 million for the same period of 2010, the statistical service said.

For the first four months ending in April there was a revenue increase of 23.7 per cent reaching €269.8 million against €218.2 million in the same period a year ago.

More importantly, tourism income for the first four months is up 7.5 per cent on 2008 levels. Income from tourism accounts for 12 per cent of Cyprus’s gross domestic product.

The average daily amount spent by tourists in April was €73.80 and the average stay was 9.3 days.

Israelis were the biggest spenders at an average €138.2 a day, while the recession-hit Irish were the most frugal, spending just €56.60.

Cyprus tourism revenue in 2010 improved 3.8 per cent on a year earlier, boosting confidence the key sector can consolidate the island’s fledgling economic recovery.

Revenue for 2010 reached €1.54 billion compared with €1.49 billion for 2009. It dropped in 2009 from €1.79 billion in 2008 and €1.85 billion in 2007.

Holidaymakers to Cyprus hit a high of 2.69 million in 2001 spending a record 2.17 billion euros.