Inbound tourism up 11.3% in November

Total inbound visitors for November were estimated at 115,105, an increase of 11.3 per cent when compared to the corresponding month of 2014. Excluding passengers who stayed overnight on board their berthed cruise ship, total inbound tourist trips amounted to 113,042.

A total of 91,188 inbound tourist trips were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 13,025 were undertaken for business purposes. Inbound tourists from EU Member States went up by 9.5 per cent to 95,835 when compared to the corresponding month of 2014. The largest proportion of inbound tourists were aged between 45 and 64, followed by those within the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent went up by 7.7 per cent when compared to November 2014, amounting to 838,984 nights. The largest share of guest nights (67.1 per cent) was spent in collective accommodation establishments.

Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €90.1 million, an increase of 12.2 per cent over the corresponding month of 2014.

January-November 2015

Inbound tourist trips from January to November amounted to 1,718,853, an increase of 5.9 per cent over the same period in 2014. Total nights spent by inbound tourists went up by 5.2 per cent, surpassing 13.6 million nights.

Total tourism expenditure was estimated at €1,590.2 million, 7.7 per cent higher than that recorded for the same period in 2014. Total expenditure per capita stood at €925, an increase of 1.7 per cent when compared to 2014.

In a statement issued earlier today, the Malta Tourism Authority pointed out that the growth included the two international events held in Malta during the month of November.  

“These results still reflect the constant positive growth experienced throughout the year which is expected to continue even during December,” the statement reads.

The MTA said that the majority of source markets with the exception of Libya and Russia recorded increases with the United Kingdom registering the largest absolute increase of 36,595 more tourists compared to the same period last year, followed by Italy with 25,738 more tourists.  It further added that double-digit growth rates in inbound tourists were also recorded from USA, Belgium, Ireland and Austria.

“We are extremely pleased with the double-digit growth rates achieved in inbound tourism performance during November 2015, in particular with the sustained increases in the tourist expenditure figure which is ultimately one of the most important indicators of tourism performance,” MTA CEO Paul Bugeja said.

Bugeja added that the new record figures achieved throughout the year were the result of the hard work put in by all stakeholders within the industry.

“These efforts amongst others included several marketing initiatives, better exposure in International travel fairs and increased connectivity to our Islands”

Tourism minister says November 2015 is record over other years

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that this November had marked a record compared to previous years, and that the data had also shown that overnight stays by cruiseliners had seen an almost three-fold increase.

Speaking during visits to a number of renowned hotels in Malta, where he viewed some of the final preparations for events being held for the festive season, Zammit Lewis said it was interesting that in November, Malta had already surpassed records registered in 2014, in its entirety.

“We have had over 20,000 tourists more than last year’s totals already, and they’ve spent an additional €60 million compared to the whole of last year,” he said, stressing how this year had proved effective both in increasing the rate of tourism in general, and in strengthening the presence of high income tourists.

“These results serve as an encouragement for the government to continue on its route towards making tourism a driving force for the Maltese economy.”

Zammit Lewis looked forward to initiatives targeting better conditions for employees in the sector in 2016, where the government would collaborate with the private sector and with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA).

Discussing the effect of various initiatives like the reduction of electricity bills, on the development of the industry in the country, Zammit Lewis added that the government was committed to further strengthening the industry during the coming year.