The Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, said today the last twelve months have been an “exceptional year in tourism,” adding that Malta was presently in second place behing Turkey, for best performing countries.

“Winter months are showing a positive trend,” the Minister said, “with an increase of 17.5 % in passengers passing through the Malta International Airport in October.”

The Minister said that the overall rate for increase in tourism was 5.4 %, while in Malta this figure stood at 8.7 %, with an increase of 10 % in nights and an increase of 9.5 % in tourist spending. The total income achieved this year to date through tourism, had reached the € 1.158 billion mark.

Minister Vella also spoke about the return of British Airways, with flights to Malta to resuming early next year, as well as Fly Nikki which will operate from Vienna, therefore making Malta even more accessible to Europe, he said.

The Minister also mentioned thet Budget measures announced in Parliament last week, which included an increase in the funds allocated to the Malta Tourism Association and the Malta Aviation, among others.

Photograph – Alain Salvary

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