Tourism occupies a dominant position in the economy of Cyprus.
In 2006 it was expected to contribute 10.7% of GDP.
In real terms it generated CYP£2,598.2 mn (US$5,445.0 mn) (annual-2006).
Total employment was estimated at 113,000 jobs (29.7% of total employment = 1 in every 3.4 jobs).
With over 2 million tourist arrivals per year, it is a popular destination in the world.
Cyprus became a full member of the UNWTO when the organisation was created in 1975.According to the World Economic Forum’s 2013 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Cyprus’ tourism industry ranks 29th in the world in terms of overall competitiveness. In terms of Tourism Infrastructure, (in relation to the tourism industry) Cyprus ranks 1st in the world.
Many an expat working in Cyprus today probably got to know the island through one of its main assets. With its beautiful location right in the Mediterranean Sea, its virtually uninterrupted, year-long sunshine, and plentiful cultural treasures to boost, it should not be very surprising that Cyprus is a popular tourism location. In fact, the tourism sector is one of the country’s most important economic pillars, contributing a sizeable share to the national GDP. Cyprus’s hotels, restaurants, bars, sights, and other parts of the hospitality industry have provided safe employment opportunities for many Cypriots for decades.
Saranta Kolones Paphos, Cyprus
Places of Interest
- Cyprus history presents an unlimited choice of places to see and things to do.
- Neolithic settlements, ancient Greek temples and theatres, Byzantine churches
- and monasteries, tombs, museums and castles – or just a glimpse of the simple
- life of yester year in remote villages unchanged and steeped in tradition.
- To get around the Island there are cars for hire from international and local companies, or tours in luxury air-conditioned coaches with well-trained guides that speak fluent English. There is also an inexpensive way to travel between cities – a frequent inter-town taxi service system, whereby the passenger rents a seat and shares the taxi with other passengers.
- Cypriot cities have a variety of historical spellings and writings, all in fairly common use, and which change according to the context, whether it be Greek Cypriot, Turkish or English tourist. The following list emphasizes traditional English spellings that will most often be encountered by the traveller. Some of these places are:
- Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Polis, Troodos Mountains
Tombs of the Kings – Paphos, Cyprus