Tourist figures in October increased by three per cent compared with the same period last year, making it the seventh consecutive month with record tourism figures, official statistics show.
The total nights increased by 6.8 per cent to almost 1.3 million for the month, the National Statistics Office said.
Of the 152,500 visits for the month, more than 131,549 trips were for holiday purposes, while a further 13,000 were for business.
Inbound tourism from the EU increased by one per cent, representing 85 per cent of the total. Tourists from outside the EU increased by 20 per cent to 23,419.
Total nights spent during October were estimated at 1.3 million, an increase of seven per cent when compared to 2011. Overall, 65 per cent of total nights were spent in collective accommodation establishments, with hotel guest nights recording a decrease of two per cent.
However, there was a substantial increase of 19 per cent in nights spent in private accommodation. The average length of stay stood at 8.3 nights, fractionally higher than the same month last year.
Total expenditure was estimated at €139.6 million, a growth of nine per cent over last year. Expenditure on non-package travel increased by 27 per cent, while other expenditure increased by 10 per cent.
Between January and October, total tourist arrivals amounted to almost 1.3 million, up by two per cent over the corresponding period in 2011. Total nights spent went up by seven per cent, reaching almost 11.3 million. The average length of stay was 8.7 nights, up by 0.4 of a night over 2011.
During the same period, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €1.2 billion, up by eight per cent when compared to 2011. Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories. The total per capita expenditure stood at €940, an increase of six per cent when compared to last year.
These figures were welcomed by the Tourism Ministry which, in a statement, recalled the “record summer”. The Government said it was committed to continue implementing its policy in tourism since it was one of the economy’s main pillars.
More than 1.09 million tourists visited Malta between April and October. A record tourism year is expected in 2012.