Outbound tourism in April declined by 5 per cent, reaching an estimated 22,574 trips. During the same month, the number of same-day visitors went up to 4,629.

Outbound trips towards EU destinations made up 87 per cent of the total and amounted to 19,553, while a further 3,020 trips headed towards non-EU destinations. A decrease of 6 per cent in tourist trips towards EU destinations was recroded.

Trips to non-EU destinations remained practically unchanged. Italy and the UK continued to be the most popular destinations preferred by Maltese tourists and shared between them 55 per cent of the total tourism market. Both destinations experienced marginal declines when compared with 2011.

Male tourists carried out 59 per cent of outbound tourist trips during April, equivalent to an estimated 13,309 trips. Most outbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age bracket (9,094). These were followed by outbound tourists aged 45-64, numbering 6,967, or 31 per cent of total trips.

Outbound passengers throughout the first four months of the year stood at 85,822, almost at par with last year. A majority, or 87 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU countries, with Italy and the UK ranking as the most popular destinations. Tourist trips to Italy registered an increase of 10 per cent, while trips towards the UK declined by 5 per cent. The number of tourist trips towards non- EU destinations advanced by 14 per cent when compared to last year, and stood at 11,417.

Male outbound passengers exceeded females; accounting for 60 per cent of the total. Trips were mostly carried out by tourists in the 25-44 age bracket (41 per cent) and were followed by tourists aged between 45 and 64.

Out of 93,716 outbound visitors, the number of same-day visitors for the period was estimated at 7,894, equivalent to 8 per cent of total outbound trips.

These figures are supplied by the National Statistics Office.

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