Tourism up by 4.2% in July

Tourstat data for July showed an increase of 4.2% in total departing tourists when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Total inbound visitors during July were estimated at 182,699. Excluding the 800 passengers who stayed overnight on board a berthed cruise vessel, 181,899 were departing tourists - an increase of 4% when compared to 2012 levels.

The number of tourists visiting Malta for holiday purposes rose by 5% to 154,594, while those visiting Malta for business purposes decreased slightly to 6,941.

Inbound tourists from EU Member States went up by 3% and Non-EU departing tourists by 11%, reaching 36,151.

With a share of 27%, the UK remained the main market for inbound tourism, while the Italian market came second at 15%. More than half of total inbound tourists opted for non-package travel.

Total nights spent during the month under review were estimated at 1.8 million, up by 5% when compared to 2012 levels.

Overall, 65% of total nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, which also increased by 4%.

A substantial rise of 7% in nights spent in private accommodation was also recorded. At 9.6 nights, the average length of stay remained at par with the average during the past three years.

During the reference month, total expenditure was estimated at €196.4 million - a growth of 3% over last year. Expenditure on package travel went down by 2%, while expenditures incurred by non-package tourists experienced an increase of 6%.

9% increase between January and July

The total number of tourists who visited Malta between January and July was estimated at 855,149. Of these, 848,932 were departing tourists, an increase of 9% over the comparable period in 2012.

Most departing tourists were holidaymakers, predominantly from the European Union. However, an increase of 20% was registered in the number of tourists from Non-EU countries.

Non-package travel was slightly higher than package travel, with an estimated 52% of departing tourists. Nonetheless, those opting for package travel edged up by 5% when compared to 2012.

Increases were observed in both first-time and repeat tourists, equivalent to 6% and 14% respectively.

Total nights spent went up by 11%, reaching almost 6.7 million. The average length of stay for the period under review stood at 7.9 nights, up by 0.2 of a night over 2012.

In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, while an increase of 20% was noted in the use of private accommodation.

Total expenditure of departing tourists during this period was estimated at €740.3 million, up by 9% over last year. Increases were recorded across all expenditure categories. Total per capita expenditure was estimated at €872 - up by 1% over 2012.