Inbound tourists in February totalled 61,442, a slight decrease when compared to the corresponding month last year. The figures released today by the National Statistics Office also show that the total nights spent went up to 497,783.

A total of 49,791 inbound tourist trips were undertaken for holiday purposes, while the number of business trips was estimated at 7,291. Consequently, holidaymakers comprised the majority of inbound tourists, registering an increase of 4 per cent over 2012.

A significant drop of 33 per cent was registered in business tourists. First-time visitors made up the absolute majority of inbound tourists. In analysing the results for February, the 2012 leap year effect should be factored in.

Most inbound tourists came from EU Member States (83 per cent). The UK remained Malta’s main tourism market, with a share of 36 per cent of total inbound trips, and was followed by Italy at 16 per cent. Major tourism markets remained practically unchanged when compared to last year, except for the Italian market, which advanced by 43 per cent.

Total nights spent during the reference month increased by 7 per cent, reaching 497,783 nights. This upward shift was mainly attributed to an increase of 31 per cent in the number of nights spent in private accommodation establishments. Collective accommodation establishments registered declines in arrivals and nights spent. The average length of stay stood at 8.1 nights, up by 0.6 of a night when compared to February last year.

During the reference month, total expenditure was estimated at €45.0 million, up by 1 per cent over 2012 levels. Expenditure on package travel advanced by 26 per cent to €15.4 million, while non-package expenditure decreased by 24 per cent, reaching €11.4 million.

Inbound tourists during this two-month period were estimated at 126,329, up by 3 per cent over 2012. 82 per cent of all inbound visitors comprised tourists coming from EU Member States, an increase of 2 per cent. In absolute terms, this change is mostly attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, German and Italian markets.

Total nights spent during this period were estimated at 1,090,569, up by 12 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 8.6 nights, an increase of 9 per cent over last year.

During January-February 2013, total expenditure of departing tourists was estimated at €97.9 million, up by 5 per cent over last year. Total per capita expenditure was estimated at €775 – up by 2 per cent over 2012.

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