THE Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has concluded a deal with the largest British tour operator that is expected to significantly boost arrivals from the United Kingdom, commerce minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis revealed yesterday.   The minister also said that casino licences, another major boost for tourism, should be expected by Spring 2015 while related legislation is scheduled to be ready at the end of this month.  

Tourist arrivals were up by 11.4% in April 2014 compared to April 2013, data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service, on Monday, show.

On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 180,998 in April 2014 compared to 162,439 in April 2013, recording an increase of 11.4%.

An increase of 18.9% was recorded in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom, up from 61,888 in April 2013 to 73,556 in April 2014.

Tourist arrivals from Russia were also up by 13.7% from 28,531 to 32,430.

Cyprus’ very first wind park at Orithes inside the Paphos district was inaugurated on Sunday by President Demetris Christofias.

The €170 million project aims to supply eight percent from the island’s electricity generation and it has been operational since this past year.

Throughout Cyprus rents for flats increased in average by 0.3%. Rents for houses, shops, warehouses and office spaces dropped by a respective average of 2.1%, 0.8%, 0.2%, and 2.1% accordingly.