Outbound tourism up 9.8% in third quarter

Total outbound tourists for the third quarter in 2015 were estimated at 142,228, an increase of 9.8 per cent when compared to the same quarter in 2014.

During the third quarter of 2015, the number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries during this period stood at 126,709, an increase of 7.7 per cent over the same quarter in 2014. Italy and the United Kingdom remained the most popular destinations, with a share of 47.4 per cent of total tourist trips.

Total nights spent by outbound tourists increased by 5.0 per cent, reaching 1,120,466 nights. In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments.

Total estimated outlay by resident tourists between July and September increased by 10.4 per cent over the same quarter of last year, and stood at €155.7 million, equivalent to an average €1,095 per trip.

Total outbound tourist trips between January and September 2015 numbered 317,109, an increase of 9.3 per cent over 2014. Total nights spent by outbound tourists went up by 3.1 per cent, reaching 2.4 million nights. In addition, total estimated outlay by resident tourists stood at €316.2 million, 9.5 per cent higher than that recorded for the same period in 2014.