Outbound tourists up by 1.8% in July 2010

Outbound tourist trips to EU destinations during this month were calculated at 28,508, the NSO reported.

According to the NSO, with the exception of the United Kingdom (UK), all EU destinations have registered increases in the number of outbound trips.

The NSO reported that trips to non-EU destinations, standing at 3,668, continued their downward trend during July 2010.

As in previous years, the majority of outbound tourists during July 2010 were males and stood at 17,123 or 53% of all outbound tourists during this month.

According to the NSO, the largest proportion of outbound trips during July 2010 was carried out by those in the 25-44 age group. These made up 36% of the total.

The NSO also reported that same-day visitors during July 2010 were estimated 3,620.

The amount of outbound tourist trips for the first seven months of 2010 stood at 148,963, an increase of 4% with respect to the previous year, the NSO reported.

EU destinations made up 86% of the total, with 127,508 outbound tourists during the January to July 2010 period, whereas non-EU trips were calculated at 21,455 during that period.

According to the NSO, the most popular destination during the first seven months of 2010 was Italy.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers fell within the 25-44 age bracket, amounting to 62,938, followed by the 45-64 age group.

The NSO reported that both age groups had registered a drop in tourists when compared with the same period last year.

However, according to the NSO, the 0-24 age group has registered a substantial increase in outbound tourists during the first seven months of 2010 when compared to the same period last year.

Same-day visitors for the first seven months of 2010 were estimated at 18,657, recording an increase over last year's levels, the NSO concluded.