Numbers of Russian tourists nearly half those of 2019

The number of Russian tourists to Cyprus fell 43.1 per cent in the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2019, it was reported on Monday, quoting data released by Russian tour operators.

Russian news agency Tass said 172,300 people visited Cyprus in the first half of 2021, a 43.1 per cent drop against pre-pandemic 2019.

Tass said the reduction in the number of tourists from Russia to other countries was almost double in the first half of 2021 than the same period the previous year, reaching 1.8m people.

Close to half the trips, or 45.3 per cent, were to Turkey, which was visited by 806,200 people.

Meanwhile, it was announced that from August 27, regular flights to Cyprus and three other countries will increase. There will be seven flights from Moscow to Larnaca and Paphos, the report said.