Maltese travellers up 6.8 per cent

Maltese passengers departing by air and sea in the first four months of this year amounted to 65,487, a 6.8 per cent increase over the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said.

Over 85 per cent of the total travelled to European Union destinations, the most visited countries being Italy and the UK.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers - 47.5 per cent - comprised individuals aged between 25 and 44, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket who accounted for 36.9 per cent of total Maltese travellers.

In April, Maltese residents departing by air and sea were estimated at 18,804. Of these, 15,762 travelled to EU destinations, mainly Italy and the UK.

Outbound Maltese tourists for April are estimated at 18,804, implying a drop of 1.7 per cent over the same month last year. Of these 85.7 per cent travelled by air.