The latest Tourstat data indicates that inbound tourists in September 2009 were estimated at 130,296, down by 6.8 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. During the same period total nights spent were recorded at 1,138,763.
Results show that in absolute terms the majority, or 112,007, of tourists visited Malta for holiday purposes while an additional 10,357 were in Malta for business. A decrease of 10.8 per cent was recorded in the number of first-time visitors, while repeat tourists remained comparatively stable when compared to 2008. Furthermore 89.1 per cent of tourists visiting Malta came from EU member states, while air transport remains the most popular means of reaching Malta, with an estimated 99.2 per cent.
During the same period, guest nights in collective accommodation recorded a drop of 13.3 per cent, while total nights in private accommodation remained practically unchanged. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 8.7 nights, down by 0.2 nights when compared to September 2008.
January-September 2009
Inbound tourists for this period were estimated at 936,342, a decrease of 10.4 per cent over the corresponding period in 2008. In absolute terms, this change is mostly attributable to a decrease in holiday visits, primarily from the British, German and Scandinavian markets. On the other hand, increases were recorded in the Italian and Libyan markets.
Shows that the majority of inbound tourists prefer non-package travel, while the demand for package trips decreased by 13.5 per cent. The largest proportion of inbound passengers were aged between 25 and 44, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket. Together, these two categories make up 72.5 per cent of total tourists. Overall the majority of tourists visiting Malta remain for a period of at least seven nights.
Total nights spent during the reference period decreased by 10.3 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2008. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.6 nights, at par with 2008.
In the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at €744.2 million, a drop of 12.9 per cent in comparison with 2008. Decreases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories.
Survey results indicate that per capita total expenditure is estimated at €812, down by 2.4 per cent when compared to last year.