July 2008 – According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in July are estimated at 149,491, implying an increase of 1.2 per cent over the same month in 2007. The increase reflects primarily a rise in the German, Spanish and Russian markets, while tourists coming from UK, USA and France registered decreases. Results also show that 81.5 per cent of inbound tourists in July came to Malta on holiday.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 5.2 per cent when compared to the same month in 2007. Year on year, total nights spent in private and collective accommodation increased by 12.1 and 2.1 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 10.0 nights, up by 0.3 nights when compared to July 2007.

January-July 2008 – Inbound tourists for the first seven months of 2008 are estimated at 726,804, implying an increase of 11.9 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. In absolute terms, the growth is mostly attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the German, Italian and Spanish markets. On the other hand decreases were recorded in the American, Libyan, and Swiss markets.

88.6 per cent of all inbound visits comprised tourists coming from EU Member States. Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, data show that the overall increase in the period under review was mainly brought about by a rise in first-time visits, with the latter estimated to account for 69.5 per cent of total visits. The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged 45-64, albeit the strongest increase is attributable to the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent increased by 7.0 per cent when compared to the same period in 2007. Nights spent in private accommodation registered an increase of 12.7 per cent, while guest nights in collective accommodation increased by 5.2 per cent. With regard to collective accommodation the 5- and 4- star hotel categories increased respectively by 8.3 and 2.3 per cent, while the 3- star category recorded a drop of 7.9 per cent. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.2 nights, down by 0.4 nights when compared to last year’s level.

In the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at €451.8 million, an increase of 1.8 per cent over 2007. The growth in non-package was contrasted by a reduction in package expenditure.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at €768, down by 10.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding period last year.

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