Last year things were looking up for Cyprus, the number of tourists were on the rise, and the island in the sun's economy was all set for a boost in tourist expenditure. Over 7 million people arrived at Cyprus' two airports in 2008, over 3 per cent more than the previous year, with the vast majority using Larnaca. And there's not many islands in Europe who can claim to welcome over a million holidaymakers in the peak month of August - but it's a figure Cyprus achieved in the summer of 2008. So the recession affecting not just Europe but globally has come as a bitter disappointment for Cyprus hotels and other holiday related businesses, who have invested in the hope of maintaining the number of people who visit Cyprus for their holidays. Estimates suggest that the number of people taking holidays in Cyprus in 2009 could drop between 15 and 20 per cent, bringing the number of tourists down from seven million and more to the five millions - a big hit for the Cyprus businesses involved in the tourist trade. A number of measures are being proposed by the Cyprus holidays industry to try and stop the drop being as sharp as predicted, and by taking action now it will show that the island isn't sitting back and hoping that the weather in Cyprus will be enough in itself to draw the tourists this summer. The industry is hoping for a cut in the fees charged to airlines in the landing fees for flights to Cyprus to reduce the costs of airfares plus a drop in the VAT charged by hotels to their guests. 'These measures in themselves are not going to stop the dip in tourist arrivals', claim Cyprus travel guide yourcyprus.info - adding 'The drop in the oil price will have far more of an impact on a cheap Cyprus flight price, and people in Britain and Germany aren't going to visit Cyprus because it's a little cheaper - Cyprus needs to prepare for a big drop in tourists and the number of holidays in Cyprus being sold in 2009.' For those considering a holiday to Cyprus this year, and even with the projected drop some five million people could be taking holidays in Cyprus in 2009, there's plenty of reasons why Cyprus is an excellent holiday destination. Cyprus has long been known as an excellent destination for tourists. Its golf courses for example are renowned around the globe, and its beaches are legendary. The island sits between three continents, which gives it a unique and varied history. The history of the island can be traced back thousands of years and has been invaded and conquered by many different civilizations. This results in a rich culture that is an amalgam of several separate ones. Ancient buildings still stand on the island, including temples from antiquity and architecture designed by many conquering nations. But today it's the culture and Cyprus weather that attracts people to the island - and Cyprus will be hoping people like it enough to holiday there despite the recession.
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