Outbound tourist trips down by 8.5%

According to the National Statistics Offices, outbound tourist trips during October amounted to 21,406, a decrease of 8.5% over the corresponding month last year.

Same-day visitor trips increased to 3,581.

In October, Maltese tourist departures to EU destinations totalled 18,981 - 89% of total outbound trips. A further 2,426 trips were towards Non-EU destinations.

Both markets (EU and Non-EU) registered downward changes over 2010. The UK and Italy remained the most popular destinations among Maltese travellers, with minor drops in both markets.

Tourists aged between 25 and 44 carried out the majority of outbound trips (9,935), followed by tourists in the 45-64 age group (7,048). Female tourists stood at 8,014 - 37% of the total.

Outbound passengers throughout this ten-month period amounted to 256,702, up by 7% over last year. The number of outbound trips heading towards EU countries stood at 229,329 (89% of the total).

Trips towards EU destinations advanced by 13% and were mainly the result of increases in the British and Italian markets. Italy and the UK remained the most popular outbound destinations with a share of 56% of the total market.

Trips to Non-EU destinations dropped by 23 per cent and were estimated at 27,373. The largest proportion of outbound passengers - 40% - comprised passengers aged between 25 and 44, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket.

Male outbound tourists reached 144,167 or 56% of the total. However, there was a marked increase in the number of female tourists when compared to 2010.

The number of same-day visitors stood at 33,997 - an increase of 26% when compared to last year.