More tourists come but they're spending less

Tourism from January to March rose 22 per cent over the same quarter last year to reach a total of 211,689 visitors, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €142.7 million, an increase of 4.9 per cent over last year. The growth in non-package and other expenditure was contrasted by a reduction in package expenditure.

The per capita total expenditure is however estimated at €684, down by 14.2 per cent. The growth tourist numbers was primarily attributable to the German, Italian and Spanish markets.

On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the British, Russian and Libyan markets. Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, data show that the overall increase was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits, with the latter estimated to account for 65.6 per cent of total visits.

Total nights went up by 13 per cent, while nights spent in both private and collective accommodation pushed up the former by 37.6 per cent and the latter by 7.2 per cent.

The increase in total guest nights registered in the five- and four-star hotel categories was contrasted by a decline in the three-star category.