Tourstat data for October estimated inbound tourism at 152,572, an increase of 3.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year. Total nights spent went up by 6.8 per cent to nearly 1.3 million.

During October, 131,549 inbound tourist trips were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 13,017 were undertaken for business purposes. Consequently, holidaymakers comprised the majority of inbound tourists, and registered an increase of 4 per cent over last year.

Inbound tourism from EU Member States increased by 1 per cent. This category represents a share of 85 per cent of total inbound tourism. Meanwhile, tourists from outside the EU increased by 20 per cent to 23,419.

The UK remained the main market for inbound tourism, with a share equivalent to 36 per cent of the total. The German market came second with 11 per cent, despite a drop of 13 per cent. The British market registered an increase of 9 per cent. The French and Italian markets remained practically unchanged compared to last year.

Total nights spent during October were estimated at 1.3 million, up by 7 per cent when compared to 2011. Overall, 65 per cent of total nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, with hotel guest nights recording a decrease of 2 per cent.

Nonetheless, a substantial increase (19 per cent) in nights spent in private accommodation was recorded. Overall, the average length of stay stood at 8.3 nights, up by 0.2 of a night when compared to October last year.

During the reference month, total expenditure was estimated at €139.6 million, a growth of 9 per cent over last year. Expenditure on non-package travel advanced by 27 per cent, while other expenditure increased by 10 per cent. In contrast, expenses incurred by package travellers decreased by 5 per cent.

Total tourist arrivals during the first ten months of the year reached almost 1.3 million, up by 2 per cent over the corresponding period in 2011. In absolute terms, the main origin of inbound tourism continued to be the British market, followed by the Italian and German markets.

Non-package travel was slightly higher than package travel, with an estimated 52 per cent of total travel. Nonetheless, inbound tourists opting for package travel went up by 2 per cent when compared to 2011.

Total nights spent during this period went up by 7 per cent, reaching almost 11.3 million. The average length of stay for this period stood at 8.7 nights, up by 0.4 of a night over 2011. In absolute terms, the majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments.

During the same period, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €1.2 billion, up by 8 per cent when compared to 2011. Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories. The total per capita expenditure stood at €940 – an increase of 6 per cent when compared to last year.

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