Paphos People

Hotspots such as Alicante and Malaga continued to work their magic over holidaymakers in 2007, with more nights spent in hotels in Spain than any other EU country.

Some 273 million nights were spent in Spanish hotels, placing the country ahead of fellow EU members such as Germany (215 million), France (204 million) and the United Kingdom (178 million).

The total number of nights spent in hotels in the EU reached 1,578 million last year, which is an increase of 3.1 per cent on 2006, according to the Eurostat office.

Figures also revealed that the highest proportions of foreign visitors staying in hotels were found in countries including Cyprus (92 per cent) and Greece (74 per cent), highlighting the popularity of destinations such as Paphos and Rhodes with holidaymakers.

Travellers could be given another reason to visit Paphos in the future following excavations at the site of a 12th century Georgian monastery in the area.

The Cyprus Antiquities Department said that the location could develop into another tourist attraction in the region as well as an important archaeological site.