Cyprus has centuries of history mixed with modern holiday facilities, great beaches and the Mediterranean, and the island has enjoyed a good tourist industry over the years.

But destinations newly offered in Europe to tourists has taken away some of her visitors to pastures new - notably Egypt and Turkey.

Last year the number of people taking holidays in Cyprus fell by over ten per cent, leaving many hotels with plenty of empty bedrooms and restaurants and bars taking on fewer locals.

A dual impact of the recession in Europe and the impact of the cost of Euros for British tourists can be identified as the reasons for the decline - holidays in Cyprus are as attractive as they have even been and the weather in Cyprus lived up to those who did visit expectations.

Apart from the volume of Europeans taking holidays anywhere last year falling for the first time in a long while, cheaper destinations outside of the Eurozone were promoted heavily by tour operators in the important UK market.

Hotels in Egypt and Turkey are less expensive than Cyprus, and while some savings are passed on by tour operators to the consumer, it is also more profitable for the tour operators to sell the Egyptian and Turkish hotels than the hotels in Cyprus.

But bad news for the Cyprus holiday industry isn’t necessarily bad news for the tourist - quieter restaurants, more space on the beach and some good offers for late booked Cyprus holidays all add up to why a trip there now will make sense for those who are considering it.

Villa holidays could well come down in price as well as specialist companies reduce their prices for villa holidays in Cyprus this summer and autumn.

A week’s holiday in Cyprus in June for example with Thomson Holidays starts from just over 400 Sterling a person - and that includes both flights and a hotel in Limassol, with transfers to and from the airport for arriving and departing flights to Cyprus.

And better than that even is from Thomas Cook Holidays who are offering seven nights with flights, with the hotel in Larnaca, at under 340 Sterling a person - cheaper than a lot of holidays at home!

Continuing with good value, James Villas are offering a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa within walking distance of the holiday town of Coral Bay - even with two adults it works out at less than 450 sterling a person.

A profile of the island is available by visiting http://www.yourcyprus.info

Cyprus -a mix of the ancient and modern

Cyprus is a popular holiday location for tourists in Europe and beyond - with annual visitors surpassing 2.4 million per year, it enjoys the company of holidaymakers who have visited several times before, and make the trip again and again.

Cyprus is the third largest of the Mediterranean group. The island is favoured not only for its fabulous climatic conditions, but also her rich history.

Historically, Cyprus has one of the most intriguing pasts of most Mediterranean countries. This historic past is in many ways still very evident in the architect and sites. The historic intermingling of Egyptians and Byzantine cultures provides a unique mix hard to find anywhere else. Signs and relics of the various conquerors who set foot in Cyprus at one time or another still remain today.