Sudden change: nearly a quarter of tourists in this country in August were Israelis

At the peak of the tourist season in August 2026, 23.3% of tourists in Cyprus were Israelis – 135,628 out of 581,880 visitors. This represents an increase of about 28% compared to August 2025, while overall tourism in Cyprus decreased by 3.3%. The data is explained by the availability of relatively cheap flights and the proximity of the destination to Israel.

At the peak of the tourist season in August 2026, nearly a quarter of tourists in Cyprus were Israelis. According to data from the Cyprus Statistical Service, out of 581,880 tourists who visited the country that month, 135,628 were Israelis – 23.3% of all visitors. This is an increase of about 28% compared to August 2025, when 105,597 tourists from Israel visited. In contrast, overall tourism in Cyprus decreased by 3.3% during the same period, and the share of tourists from other countries dropped significantly: the Netherlands by 17.5% and France by nearly 50%. The article explains the surge by rising flight prices in recent years and the instability in aviation following the war with Iran. Cyprus is perceived as an accessible and relatively cheap destination, with flights from Ben Gurion Airport and Haifa to Larnaca and Paphos, and as a destination that allows a quick return to Israel in case of escalation.