Tourstat data showed that in November estimated inbound tourists reached 100,365, an increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the corresponding month last year. Total nights spent advanced by 14.7 per cent.
Total inbound visitors during November were estimated at 100,365. Excluding the 437 passengers who stayed overnight on board a berthed cruise vessel, 99,928 were departing tourists – an increase of 17 per cent when compared to 2012 levels.
During the month under review, 79,902 inbound tourist trips were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 12,266 were undertaken for business purposes. Holidaymakers registered an increase of 17 per cent over last year.
Furthermore, first-time visitors accounted for the majority of inbound tourists, with an estimated 66 per cent of the total, albeit a notable increase in repeat tourism was also registered. Inbound tourism from EU Member States rose by 12 per cent while the number of Non-EU tourists advanced by 44 per cent to 18,405.
Total nights spent by departing tourists during November went up by 15 per cent, reaching 751,284. The average length of stay stood at 7.5 nights, marginally down by 0.2 of a night when compared to last year’s levels. The majority of guest nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, where an increase of 16 per cent was recorded.
Total expenditure during November also rose by 11 per cent over last year to €77 million. Increases were recorded in the main expenditure categories.
The total number of departing tourists who visited Malta during January to November exceeded the 1.5 million mark, a new all-time high, increasing by 10 per cent over the comparable period last year. In absolute terms, the main origin of inbound tourists remained the British market. A significant increase was also recorded in the Libyan, Austrian, Russian, Italian and Swiss markets. On the other hand, the Spanish market dropped by 12 per cent.
83 per cent of all inbound visitors comprised tourists coming from EU Member States. On the other hand, the Non-EU tourism market rose by 24 per cent when compared to 2012 levels. Most of the departing tourists opted for non-package travel; however an increase in package trips was recorded.
Total nights spent during the period under review were estimated at 12.3 million – up by 9 per cent over last year. The average length of stay stood at 8.1 nights, slightly below 2012 estimates.
On a gender basis, male tourists exceeded females, accounting for 52 per cent of the total. The largest proportions of inbound passengers were aged between 45 and 64, followed by tourists within the 25-44 age bracket.
During the same period, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €1.4 billion, up by 9 per cent when compared to 2012 levels. The total per capita expenditure stood at €917.