Upward trend in tourism persists

Tourism in February rose by 6.9 per cent over the same month last year, the National Statistics Office has estimated.

Total tourist expenditure increased by 13.1 per cent to reach Lm16.2 million for the month, the NSO said.

The growth in tourism last month follows the trend set since the beginning of winter - the number of visitors in December had risen by 15 per cent over the same month in the previous year, while the increase in January was of 2.4 per cent.

According to an NSO survey of departures, 50,547 tourists visited Malta last month, 1,189 fewer than in the previous month but up from 46,483 in December 2006.

Tourists staying in both collective and private accommodation establishments registered increases.

The survey indicates a 3.4 per cent decrease in the total number of nights spent during the month, mainly attributable to shorter stays. However, the number of nights spent in private accommodation increased by 8.9 per cent.

Overall, the average length of stay dropped by 0.9 nights to 9.1 nights when compared to the same month last year.