Tourist arrivals increase, per capita spending drops
Tourist arrivals grew by 20.5 percent in May compared to the same month in 2007, to reach 131,354, the NSO said today.
It said there were more arrivals from the British, German and Spanish markets, while tourists coming from the USA, Russia and Switzerland registered decreases.
Just over 87.3 percent of inbound tourists in May came to Malta on holiday.
Meanwhile, tourist nights spent increased by 16.8 percent when compared to May 2007. Year on year, total nights spent in private and collective accommodation increased by 9.0 and 19.0 percent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay was calculated at 7.3 nights, shorter by 0.2 nights when compared to May 2007.
The NSO said tourist arrivals between January and May reached 447,935, an increase of 16.5 percent over the corresponding period a year ago.
Growth was mostly attributable to an increase in holiday visits from the German, Italian and Spanish markets. On the other hand decreases were recorded in the Libyan, Swiss and American markets.
Total nights spent increased by 6.3 percent
The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure was estimated at €695, down by 14.0 per cent when compared to the corresponding period last year. Total spending by tourists rose to €306.3 million, an increase of 0.7 percent over the same period in 2007.
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Emanuel Bajada
Jun 28th 2008, 07:22
@ Roy Perry
Would they tell you that here on Gozo actually it went down?
Why should tourist come to such a island? is it a tourist destination? I doubt the adminstration regard Gozo as such. Xlendi the top resort of Gozo is officially not regarded and has not the status of a touristic area. So the privildge of touristic area does not apply to Xlendi. Here Tourist are offered a constant escavaution and building works, with all the dust and noise from 6.30 am and sometimes till 8pm. Building regulations as per LN 2007 for the first summer do not apply for Xlendi. Quo Vadis MTA.
mario agius
Jun 27th 2008, 18:49
Of course the percentage is higher. Just consider the number of penniless students invading the island and sharing a coke between 4 or 6 if not more.
And that also explains lower spending.
All you need to do is to go to St. Julians and you will witness all this.
Of course the lousy behaviour, the acts of vandalism, the shouting and such things have not decreased because they come gratis and uncontrolled by those who are just interested in the compulsory money spent for tuition.
Roy Perry
Jun 27th 2008, 16:27
Good news for Malta businesses but can someone at the NSO tell us how many came to stay in Gozo?