Tourism has affected the development of Northern Cyprus. Its share of the GDP of Northern Cyprus is significant.
In the early 1970s Varosha, Famagusta was the most popular destination in Cyprus, (and popular in the world) before its abandonment in Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1974.
Tourists arrivals by country (As of the end of 2012):[1]
| Country\Year | 2003 | % (2003) | 2012 | % (2012) | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey | 340.000 | 904.000 | |||
| 2 | UK (non-Turkish Cypriot) | 47.160 | ||||
| 3 | UK (TCs) | 26.200 | ||||
| 4 | Germany | 23.580 | ||||
| 5 | Iran | 20.960 | ||||
| Total | 470.000 | 1.166.000 |
Turkey, UK and other northern European countries are the source of most tourist arrivals.
The number of tourists visiting the TRNC during January–August 2006 was 380,000, up from 286,901 during January–August 2003.[2]
The number of tourist beds increased to 17000 in 2011. Tourism revenue in 2011 was USD400 million.[3] The number of tourists visiting Northern Cyprus: January–August 2003: 286,901;[2] January–August 2006: 380,000,; 2010: 437,723[4]
Although there are two airports in Northern Cyprus, the Ercan Airport and Geçitkale Airport, neither have been recognized due to the ongoing disputes involving the political status and recognition of Northern Cyprus. All international flights are done via Turkey by public and private airline companies.
Marina tourism also developed in recent years; Karpaz Gate Marina of Northern Cyprus became a member of ART Marine’s international marinas network in 2014.[5]
Annual Tourism Revenues: As of 2012 December: 700 million USD Number of night stays: 2003: 1.3 million 2012: 2.7 million Touristic bed capacity: (2013 March) 19.867 Number of touristic establishments: (2013 March) 145 (Kyrenia: 99). 15 is 5-star-hotel, 6 is 4-star-hotel, 3 is boutique-hotel, 1 is special-certified-hotel. The total number of hotels is 84; Bungalov establishments: 33[1]
Marina tourism also developed in recent years; many international yacht voyagers come to Northern Cyprus every year.
