Incoming tourists increase in November, but average nights spent register dip

Figures published today by the National Statistics Office show that non-resident arrivals stood at 67,181 (over 2009’s 56,265) while the number of nights spent by tourists in Malta stood at 421,921 (over 2009’s 380,206).

Total arrivals in collective accommodation amounted to 80,956, up by 18 per cent over 2009. Similarly, total guest nights increased by 10.5 per cent, while the average length of stay stood at 5.6 nights. However, the average length of stay dropped by 0.5 of a night and stood at 6.3 nights.

Similarly, resident arrivals and nights spent both registered increases, despite a decrease of 0.2 of a night in the average length of stay. Increases in arrivals and nights were noted in all types of accommodation, while the largest increase was registered in the 3-star hotel category.

During November, the overall net occupancy rate in collective accommodation establishments stood at 40.3 per cent, with a rise of 2.2 percentage points over 2009.

The non-resident occupancy rate stood at 37.8 per cent (up by 2.2 percentage points), whereas the overall resident occupancy rate remained unchanged from 2009 and amounted to 2.5 per cent.

During the month under review, Malta's total arrivals and nights increased by 18.5 and 10.7 per cent respectively when compared to 2009. The average length of stay stood at 5.7 nights, down by 0.4 of a night when compared to 2009.

The occupancy rate in Malta amounted to 40.8 per cent, with the highest rates registered in the 4-star hotel category (50.5 per cent). Increases in total arrivals and nights were also noted in Gozo and Comino, mainly caused by increases in resident arrivals.

On a national level, the increase in the overall net supply of bedrooms was caused by a rise of 4.5 per cent rise in the number of bed-places, which amounted to 37,227. The number of bedplaces in Malta stood at 35,860, whereas bedrooms numbered 16,760. Bedrooms in Gozo and Comino remained almost unchanged when compared to 2009, with an average of 2.1 beds per room.