Outbound tourist trips during October amounted to 25,066, an increase of 17.0 per cent over the corresponding month last year.

The figures released by the National Statistics Office today show that the number of outbound tourist trips towards EU destinations was estimated at 21,591, while a further 3,474 trips headed towards Non-EU destinations. These markets advanced by 14 and 39 per cent respectively.

Trips to Italy and the UK remained the most popular among residents of Malta, with shares of 31 and 18 per cent respectively. European markets recorded increases when compared to last year, except for the German market.

The largest share of outbound tourists were males (57 per cent). Male tourists increased by 7 per cent, whereas females advanced by 34 per cent. Most outbound tourists fell within the 45-64 age bracket (39 per cent) and were closely followed by those in the 25-44 age group (38 per cent). Out of 27,510 outbound visitor trips, same-day visitors were estimated at 2,444 – a decrease of 32 per cent when compared to 2011.

Outbound tourism throughout this ten-month period stood at 273,001, up by 6 per cent when compared to the previous year. An estimated 86 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations, with Italy and the UK being the most popular.

Trips to Italy advanced by 5 per cent, while those to the UK dropped by 4 per cent, widening the gap between the top two destinations. In total, both EU and Non-EU outbound trips registered increases, reaching 235,336 and 37,665 respectively.

Most outbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age group (40 per cent) and were followed by the 45- 64 age category, at 32 per cent. Male tourists stood at 157,052 and were in the majority. Out of 304,520 outbound visitor trips, same-day visitors were estimated at 31,519.

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