July sees increase in tourist arrivals, nights spent in accommodation

Total arrivals and nights spent in collective accommodation establishments during July advanced by 8.3 and 4.3 per cent respectively when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Total arrivals in collective accommodation establishments during July 2014 numbered 166,300, while total nights spent amounted to 1.1 million. All hotel categories recorded increases in total nights spent, with the largest share reported in 4-star hotels, accounting for 493,855 nights, or 45.5 per cent of the total.

The average length of stay in collective accommodation establishments went down from 6.8 nights in July 2013 to 6.5 during the month under review. The net use of bed-places stood at 84.8 per cent, up by 3.0 percentage points when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Total arrivals in Malta numbered 156,512, up by 8.4 per cent over July 2013. Additionally, a rise of 4.2 per cent was recorded in the number of nights spent. Meanwhile, the average length of stay edged down by 0.3 of a night to 6.7, when compared to last year. The net occupancy rate advanced from 82.3 per cent to 85.3 per cent.

Total arrivals and nights spent in Gozo and Comino increased by 7.7 and 5.0 per cent when compared to last year, reaching 9,788 and 42,215 respectively.

On a national level, there were 166 active collective accommodation establishments operating during July, with a net capacity of 18,694 bedrooms and 41,278 bed-places. On average, each establishment had 2.2 beds per room.

Total arrivals during the first seven months amounted to 881,892, an increase of 8.8 per cent over 2013. Total nights spent went up by 3.6 per cent, reaching 4.9 million. The net use of bed-places went up by 2.7 percentage points to 60.6 per cent.

Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis said in a press statement that he was pleased with the results of this report and that they proved that the government's efforts to ensure quality, sustainable tourism were paying off.