Visitors opting for shorter stays
Non-resident occupancy in January stood at 29.4 per cent, down by 0.4 percentage points, while resident occupancy rate was at 2.2 per cent, up by 0.3 percentage points, the National Statistics Office said.
The overall occupancy rate in collective accommodation establishments (net use) amounted to 31.6 per cent, almost unchanged when compared to January last year.
Last January, total arrivals in collective accommodation establishments were recorded at 49,547, an increase of 8.8 per cent over the same month last year. Total nights spent in hotels went up while total nights spent in other collective accommodation declined.
The overall drop in nights was mainly characterised by a decline in the average length of stay.
Last January, the average length of stay stood at 6.4 nights, down by 0.8 nights when compared to the corresponding month last year. This drop featured mostly among non-residents.
The overall net supply of bed-places in Malta was 31,448 beds, a decrease of 1.5 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2009.
Year-on-year figures show that the net use of bed-places in Malta stood at 32.3 per cent.
The average length of stay was 6.6 nights. Nights spent by non-residents in Malta accounted for 93.6 per cent of total guest-nights in Malta, standing at 294,477.
The net supply of bed-places in Gozo and Comino stood at 1,155 beds, down by 13.2 per cent when compared to January 2009. The net use of bed-places in January was 14.1 per cent, up by 0.2 percentage points.
The average length of stay stood at 2.8 nights, less than half the average calculated for Malta.
Nights spent by non-residents amounted to 2,384, whereas those spent by residents amounted to 2,658.
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Mark Palman
Mar 25th 2010, 14:31
As someone who has just returned to England after a seven nights stay in Malta, I can't agree with comments on unfriendly local people. We hired a car and travelled all over the island, and just about everywhere we went, the locals in shops, cafes, restaurants etc were all extremely friendly.
This was our first visit to Malta in over a decade, and we really didn't notice any difference in the welcoming nature of Maltese people since our previous visits.
There is only one change for the worse which we really noticed, and which Malta is no different to anywhere else. That is, the increasing number of cars on the road, and the congestion at major raoundabouts and intersections.
All in all, Malta a great island to visit. I'm sure it has its problems for residents just like any other Country, but as a recent tourist, I'd be more than happy to return very soon.
re bel
Mar 26th 2010, 14:24
thats good news, i am happy you got the service you deserved - afterall you are a paying customer!
although, i live in malta and have to put up with these rude people almost on a daily basis! you should see this cashier that works in a minimarket where i live, she is extremely rude - and her bosses are even worse!
re bel
Mar 25th 2010, 13:12
I agree with Dan Cohen .
If i was a tourist i wouldn't come to Malta especially because of unfriendly sales-assistants/ waiting-staff. you rarely find someone who smiles at you or greets you as you enter the shop, and most of the are ill-mannered.
I once had a friend over from england, and he asked me why is it that when a cashier gives change he never hands it to me but chucks it on the bench?
Phil Meares
Mar 25th 2010, 14:42
One of the rudest gestures imagineable. A customer makes a purchase and the sales assistant cannot provide the respect to place in in the customer's hand.
Disgusting.
Dan Cohen
Mar 25th 2010, 12:31
People are staying for shorter periods because of the amount of anti-tourism this country gives off. Bus drivers are crazy and think their buses are ferrari's, the actual people that are locals are unfriendly and the service in the restaurants (which is where most tourists would eat) have the worst service imaginable!
Malta - Once you can sort out key issues like that, there is really no hope for YOUR country!
M. Vella
Mar 25th 2010, 13:01
Dear Mr. Cohen, I cannot understand your rage towards this country and yet you're still showing interest in our local news. No country is perfect and we have our own limitations like the rest of the world. The busses issue is one of them that Malta needs to work on. But your complaint about restaurant service is far from reasonable. You didn't do your homework right before eating in a particular restaurant/s.