The Statistical Service announced a 22.6 percent increase in tourist volumes compared to the same period in 2015, with a total of 413,114 visitors.

Striking surges have been recorded from the UK, up 21.1 percent, Russia, up 41.6 percent, the neighbouring countries of Israel and Greece, up 59 percent and 29.7 percent, respectively, as well as Ukraine which achieved a 40.5 percent rise.

Total arrivals for the first half of the year stood at 1.25 million, a 21.2 percent increase over first semester of 2015.