First quarter sees 2.1% increase in outbound tourism

Total outbound tourists for the first quarter in 2015 were estimated at 78,955, an increase of 2.1% when compared to the same quarter in 2014.

During the first quarter of 2015, the number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries stood at 69,347, an increase of 4.1% over the same quarter in 2014. Italy and the United Kingdom remained the most popular destinations, with a share of 59.6% of total tourist trips.

Total nights spent by outbound tourists decreased by 7.7%, reaching 552,212 nights. In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in private accommodation establishments.

Total estimated outlay by resident tourists between January and March remained almost at par with the same quarter last year, and stood at €71.1 million, equivalent to an average €900 per trip