First-time visitors boost rise in inbound tourism

Tourist departures last month are estimated at 147,700, implying an increase of 12.1 per cent over the same month in 2006, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The increase, the NSO said, reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers mainly from the British, Italian and French markets. This contrasted with a decline in tourists from Russia, Scandinavia and Belgium.

Total nights spent increased by 2.2 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year on year, total nights spent in private and collective accommodation increased by 0.7 and 2.9 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 9.7 nights, shorter by 0.9 nights when compared to July 2006.

Inbound tourists for the first seven months of the year are estimated at 649,502, implying an increase of 7.6 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits mainly from the British, Scandinavian, Irish and Italian markets. Decreases were recorded in respect of the French, Austrian, German and Dutch markets.

The statistics show that 86.7 per cent of all inbound visits comprised tourists from EU member states. Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, the overall growth was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits, the latter estimated to account for 67.2 per cent of the total. The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged between 45 and 64, albeit the biggest increase is attributable to tourists aged 24 years and under.

Total nights spent dropped by 2.1 per cent when compared to the same period last year, implying shorter stays. Total nights spent in private accommodation went down by 8.2 per cent, while those in collective accommodation remained almost unchanged. Tourist nights in rented and owner-occupied accommodation decreased by 15.3 and 9.3 per cent respectively, and those spent in lodgings with family and friends increased by 4.6 per cent.

With regard to total nights in collective accommodation, there was a significant decrease in the three-star category, contrasting with an increase in the five-star category. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.6 nights, down by 0.9 nights when compared to last year's level.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm232.7 million - an increase of 4.3 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package stays and other expenditure. Although the majority are still opting for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are showing a rising trend.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm367, down by 2.2 per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year.

Commenting on the statistics, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said that not only the first seven months of the year were positive but that Malta International Airport figures indicated that August has registered an increase of about 11 per cent in passenger movement.

The introduction of low-cost carriers - one of the reasons for the positive trends in the industry - has stimulated the legacy airlines to also increase their routes and offer more competitive prices, leading to more foreigners choosing Malta for their holidays, Dr Zammit Dimech said.

Nevertheless, more than ever before, it was necessary to continue seeing what more needed to be done with regard to the product and services on offer to tourists, he stressed.