Inbound tourists in February totalled 61,670, a decrease of 5.8 per cent over the corresponding month last year.

Total nights spent stood at 488,969, with an average length of stay of 7.9 nights. Excluding the effect of last year’s unrest in Libya, the decrease amounted to 1.8 per cent.

Results from the Tourstat survey indicate that an estimated 61,670 tourists visited Malta and Gozo during February. There was a decrease of 6 per cent in the number of departing tourists when compared to the corresponding month last year. This drop was partly due to the unprecedented rise in tourists that occurred during February last year as a consequence of the unrest in Libya.

A total of 47,901 inbound tourist trips were undertaken for holiday purposes, while the number of business trips was estimated at 10,927. Consequently, holidaymakers comprised the absolute majority of inbound tourists, albeit registering a decrease of 3 per cent over 2011. A significant increase was registered in the number of business tourists.

The majority of inbound tourists came from EU Member States (83 per cent), albeit registering a decrease of 5 per cent over the preceding year. Meanwhile, the number of departing tourists from non-EU countries decreased by 12 per cent. The United Kingdom remained the main market for inbound tourists with a share of 36 per cent of total inbound tourism.

Still, there was a decrease of 7 per cent of tourists coming from this country. Notable decreases were also registered in the French and Italian markets – 37 and 25 per cent respectively. On the other hand, the German market saw a significant upward shift of 71 per cent when compared to last year’s levels.

Total nights spent during the reference month decreased by 7 per cent, reaching 488,969 nights. Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €44.5 million. This estimate is 2 per cent lower than that for 2011. Expenditure on package travel also fell by 14 per cent and stood at €12 million, while non-package expenditure advanced by 26 per cent, reaching €15 million.

The number of inbound tourists during this two-month period was estimated at 123,944, down by 5 per cent over 2011. 83 per cent of all inbound visitors comprised tourists coming from EU Member States, albeit a drop of 5 per cent. In absolute terms, this change is mostly attributable to a decrease in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Italian and French markets.

On a gender basis, results show that male tourists exceeded females, accounting for 55 per cent of the total. The largest proportions of inbound tourists were aged between 45 and 64. A substantial decrease was noted in the number of tourists less than 25 years of age.

Total nights spent during this period were estimated at 1,000,146 – a decrease of 2 per cent over last year. In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments. The average length of stay stood at 8.1 nights, an increase of 3 per cent over last year.

Total tourist expenditure for the first two months of the year was estimated at €93.9 million, a 2 per cent increase over last year. In spite of decreases in the number of tourists, there were increases in both package and non-package expenditure categories, with the average spend reaching €757 per capita.

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