Tourist arrivals exceed one million in nine months
Tourist spending up by 22%
Tourist arrivals in September grew by 15.2 per cent when compared to last year, figures issued by the NSO this morning show
Total nights spent during this period went up by 16.8 per cent.
The Office said that 150,034 tourists came to Malta last month, the majority of whom were holiday makers. Most inbound tourists came from EU Member States, but tourists from non-EU countries increased substantially.
The main markets for inbound tourism remained the UK and Italy. An increase of 10 per cent was noted in the number of tourists spending a minimum of 7 nights in Malta, thereby making this the most popular trip duration. Total nights spent during this period were estimated at 1.3 million, the majority of which were spent in collective accommodation.
Guest nights in collective accommodation rose by 18 per cent, while total night spent in private accommodation registered an increase.
The average length of stay was estimated at 8.9 nights, up by 0.1 nights when compared to 2009.
The NSO said that arrivals between January and September had risen to just over one million, an increase of 13 per cent when compared to the same period last year. Increases were recorded both in the number of repeat tourists and in the number of first-time visitors, although the latter still constituted the majority.
The average length of stay stood at 8.5 nights, slightly less than what was estimated last year. On a gender basis male tourists exceeded females, and accounted for 51 per cent of the total. The majority of tourists fell within the 25-44 age bracket, narrowly followed by those in the 45-64 age-group. Nonetheless a significant increase was noted in the number of tourists under 25 years of age.
Total nights spent between January and September went up by 12 per cent reaching a total of nearly 9 million nights. Guest nights in collective accommodation advanced by 12 per cent, while nights spent in private accommodation rose by 11 per cent.
During the period under review, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €914 million, 22 per cent higher than that for 2009. Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories.
Total per capita expenditure stood at €868, an increase of 8 per cent over last year.
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DVella
Nov 3rd 2010, 14:45
Don't waste your breath Peter, such facts just pass them completely by . . . I doubt the collective intellect of the entire PL are even capable of understanding the true implications, so obsessed are they are with portraying our nation as a living hell and convincing us that the entire working class all have starving children and are verging on becoming jobless, homeless and destitute
C Cassar
Nov 3rd 2010, 17:32
Well, most of the Maltese kids (and their parents) are so obese that their parents obviously find the price of food in Malta very reasonable indeed.
eric abela
Nov 3rd 2010, 14:10
this is excellent news and very impressive numbers all round. A huge WELL DONE to dr Demarco and MTA who are obviously doing something right. I suppose that these figures also justify the government's decision to increase the tourism budget for next year. I can't help but ask what the hotelers are making such a huge fuss about with the vat increase of 2 percent seeing how for the 1st 9 months their nights numbers went up by 12 percent and spending of tourists by 22 prcent. Do they want the record numbers without helping to get them?
Claire Mangion
Nov 3rd 2010, 13:56
The main tourists come from the UK and yet Air Malta is going to heavily curtial flights from the UK. There will be no more flights from Birmingham after April 2011. I visit my family in Malta three or four times a year and I always used Air Malta and flew from Birmingham. The planes are always full, so I do not understand why Air Malta is stopping the Birmingham route. I am unsure what I will able to do from next year. I always found Air Malta to be the best value and it is a shame that I might have to visit Malta less often. And I am sure this goes for alot of other people in the Midlands in the UK who might not want the added expense of travelling three or four hours north or south to find an Air Malta flight to Malta. It is a pity indeed!!!
Anthony Castillo
Nov 3rd 2010, 13:50
Igot tired of reading and hearing about the success from all sections of the economy in the island. These are the results of a great politician who opperates for the best of our country not just to get the power at all cost. God bless the good pair of hands and hope that other politicians learn how to practice politics for the sake of our country.Mr Prime minister well done and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Peter Darmanin
Nov 3rd 2010, 12:35
@Dr Joseph Muscat
"During the period under review, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €914 million, 22 per cent higher than that for 2009. Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories.
Total per capita expenditure stood at €868, an increase of 8 per cent over last year."
Not bad Dr Muscat!
N.Farrugia
Nov 3rd 2010, 12:58
Further to your comments, the NSO said that the total expenditure increased by a staggering 22%. And the MHRA are still moaning! When are they going to be happy? Lust is their motto!!
w caruana
Nov 3rd 2010, 14:11
So I got a grade E in my last years exam but hey I have good news cause I got a D this year... I am so good what a progress I made...... I hope you get the drill people... comparing this year with a disastrous year does not really mean this is a good year!