Museums and historical sites received 1.8 million visitors last year, a drop of 12 per cent from the preceding year, the NSO said. No reason was given, although the main reason is thought to have been the decline in tourism.

In 2009, there were 66 museums and historical sites in Malta and Gozo. Forty-seven per cent were owned by the State and the rest by the Church or a private organisation. Just over 30 per cent were Ethnology and Anthropology museums; 20 per cent were monuments and sites, and a further 15 per cent were Archaeology and History museums.

The museums and historical sites registered 2.2 million admissions during 2008. 2009 saw a drop of 12 per cent in total admissions to 1.8 million.

The highest share of admissions was registered in art museums during the two years under review.

During 2009, full-time paid staff employed by museums and historical sites decreased by 5 per cent to 318 with respect to 2008. Over three-fourths of the full-time employees in museums and historical sites were classified as ‘other’ staff. This category includes clerks, cleaners and maintenance and security personnel.

The number of part-time staff also dropped during 2009, standing at 65. In contrast, voluntary staff increased by 8 per cent over 2008, to 159. The majority of voluntary workers were museum guides.

The income reported by these organisations amounted to €11.5 million in 2008, which increased by 8 per cent to €12.5 million last year. More than half the income earned during 2009 was attributed to admission fees. In 2009, museums and historical sites received over €4.5 million in grants and subsidies, making up almost 37 per cent of their income. This translated into a €1.0 million growth in this type of income when compared to 2008.

In 2008, these organisations spent €12.3 million. Staff costs contributed to just over half the total expenditure, while another 10 per cent were subcontracting costs. Nineteen per cent of these costs was spent on maintenance and administration. The total expenditure dropped by 11 per cent in 2009 to €11.0 million.

During 2008, these organisations registered a net loss of €0.8 million, which was followed by a financial surplus of nearly €1.5 million last year.