Tourist arrivals rose in January more than 16 percent to 48,607 compared to the respective month of 2015 boosted by an increase in arrivals from all major markets including the United Kingdom and Russia, the statistical service said.

Arrivals from the UK, Cyprus’s major source of incoming tourism rose 18 percent to 14,552 in January compared to a year before, while those from Russia, second most significant market, and Greece, rose almost 11 percent and 17 percent to 5,304 and 7,104 respectively, Cystat said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

Arrivals from Germany and Israel rose in both cases an annual 23 percent to 2,126 and 3,374 respectively, Cystat said.

The number of outgoing travellers rose in January 6.3 per cent compared to a year before to 86,298, Cystat said.