MaltaToday survey | More than 75% will not be holidaying out of Malta

This emerges from a survey conducted among 500 respondents who were asked to state where they intend to spend their holiday of more than three days outside their homes.

Not surprisingly, the survey shows that those in the 18-to-35 age bracket are the most likely to take a holiday outside the home. They are also the most likely to take a holiday abroad (24%).

Significantly the least likely to take a holiday abroad are those aged between 35 and 54. Among these respondents only 18% intend to go on holiday abroad. Among those aged over 55, over 21% intend to spend a holiday abroad. 

While the middle-aged bracket is the least likely to go abroad, it is the most likely to spend a holiday of more than three days either in Gozo or in a hotel in Malta. In fact while 8% of 18-34-year-olds and only 3% of over-55s will spend more than three days in Gozo, the percentage rises to 12% among those aged 35-54.

This could be an indication that the middle-aged group is more likely to include families with children, and is the most economically hard pressed and has to opt for a less expensive domestic holiday.

The survey shows Italy as the leading holiday destination for summer, attracting 7.2% of respondents. Interestingly this traditional destination is most popular among younger respondents.

On the other hand the United Kingdom is decidedly more popular among the older age groups. Spain is far more popular among younger people. Cruises are also more popular among older people, to the extent that all those who chose this option were over 35.

France is most popular among those aged over 55 years. But this is mostly due to the popularity of Lourdes among this age group.  In fact, most older respondents who will be visiting France will be visiting the sanctuary.

Very few respondents opted for exotic locations. These included Morocco and Thailand.

Compared to previous years, the survey suggests that the number of people who won't have a holiday this year remains the same as in 2009 and 5 points higher than in 2007. But the number of people going abroad is 3 points higher than in 2007.  This could be attributed to the impact of low-cost airlines.

One curiosity of the survey is that Nationalist voters are more likely to go on holiday outside the country than Labour voters. While 25% of PN voters will be out of the country for more than 3 days only 19% of PL voters will be doing likewise. 

Methodology

The survey was held between Monday 9 July and Thursday 12 July. 776 respondents were contacted by telephone. 500 accepted to be interviewed. The results of the survey were weighed to reflect the age and gender balance of the population. The survey has a margin of error of /-4.38%