Increase in tourist activity in March

According to the National Statistics Office, the first week of March was effected by a significant increase in tourist arrivals due to the unrest in Libya. During this week, 3,090 passengers reached Malta by air and sea, with some departing on the same day. Others spent at least one night in Malta, thereby falling under the definition of inbound tourism. The average of total nights spent by these tourists was approximately three nights per person.

Overall, most tourists visiting Malta this month did so for holiday purposes. First-time visitors accounted for 69,169, an increase of 42% over 2010. Most tourists came from EU Member States, mainly the UK and Italy. A substantial increase was registered in the French market and in tourists coming from outside the EU. During the same period, total nights spent stood at 756,223, up by 22% over last year. The majority of total nights were spent in collective accommodation, with an estimated increase of 16%. The average length of stay during March 2011 stood at 7.6 nights, down by 0.5 of a night.

Total expenditure was estimated at €67 million. This was 17% higher over the corresponding month last year, with a substantial increase in the other expenditure category.

Inbound tourists during the first quarter totalled 230,008, an increase of 24% over the corresponding period in 2010. Increases were recorded both in the number of repeated tourists and in the number of first-time visitors. It was also noted that both package and non- package trips registered increases, with the majority of tourists preferring the latter. The average length of stay for this period stood at 7.7 nights, down by 0.2 of a night when compared to 2010 levels.

On a gender basis male tourists exceeded females, and accounted for 58% of the total. Most of the inbound tourists fell within the 45-64 year-old age group, and were followed by the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent during this period were estimated at 1,780,852, up by 21% over last year. Nights in collective accommodation and in private accommodation increased by 13%, and 46% respectively. In absolute terms, the majority of nights were recorded in hotel accommodation, with an increase of 11%.

In total, expenditure was estimated at €159.5 million, up by 17% over last year. Per capita expenditure was estimated at €693, down by 6% over 2010

Effect of unrest in Libya on February tourist departures

Between 1 and 4 March, 3,090 passengers, including 14 Maltese citizens, arrived in Malta due to the unrest in Libya. 2,457 arrived by sea and a further 633 came by air. Approximately 250 passengers flew out on the same day they arrived in Malta, and were statistically treated as same-day visitors. The remaining arrivals were treated as tourists, and are included with the March tourism figures, together with the February inbound passengers who departed in March.