Small dip in inbound tourism in February

Inbound tourists in February totalled 61,442, a slight decrease when compared to the corresponding month last year. Total nights spent went up to 497,783.

According to statistics issued by the National Statistics Office, a total of 49,791 inbound tourist trips were undertaken for holiday purposes, while the number of business trips was estimated at 7,291.

Consequently, holidaymakers comprised the majority of inbound tourists, registering an increase of 4% over 2012.

A significant drop of 33% was registered in business tourists, while first-time visitors made up the absolute majority of inbound tourists.

In analysing the results for February, the 2012 leap year effect should be factored in.

Most inbound tourists came from EU Member States (83%).

The UK remained Malta's main tourism market, with a share of 36% of total inbound trips, and was followed by Italy at 16%.

Major tourism markets remained practically unchanged when compared to last year, except for the Italian market, which advanced by 43%.

Total nights spent during February increased by 7%, reaching 497,783 nights.

This upward shift was mainly attributed to an increase of 31% in the number of nights spent in private accommodation establishments.

Collective accommodation establishments registered declines in arrivals and nights spent.

The average length of stay stood at 8.1 nights, up by 0.6 of a night when compared to February last year.

During the same month, total expenditure was estimated at €45.0 million, up by 1% over 2012 levels.

Expenditure on package travel advanced by 26% to €15.4 million, while non-package expenditure decreased by 24%, reaching €11.4 million.

Inbound tourists during this two-month period were estimated at 126,329, up by 3% over 2012. 82% of all inbound visitors comprised tourists coming from EU Member States, an increase of 2%.

In absolute terms, this change is mostly attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, German and Italian markets.

Total nights spent during this period were estimated at 1,090,569, up by 12% over last year.

In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments. The average length of stay stood at 8.6 nights, an increase of 9 per cent over last year.

During January-February 2013, total expenditure of departing tourists was estimated at €97.9 million, up by 5% over last year. Total per capita expenditure was estimated at €775 - up by 2% over 2012.