December reinforced the trend of growing tourist numbers with an increase of nearly 15 per cent over the same month in 2011, according to newly released statistics.

At the tail end of another record year for tourism, total nights spent on the island in December soared to 30 per cent more than in the year before.

The figures exclude the 2,322 passengers who stayed overnight on board their berthed cruise ship, which rose by 11.8 per cent.

The total number of inbound visitors in December was estimated at 63,695.

More than 47,600 came to Malta on holiday while a significant increase of 30 per cent was registered among business tourists.

First-time visitors made up the absolute majority – an increase of 13 per cent over December 2011. As in previous months, most inbound tourists were from the EU, while tourists from non-EU countries rose by 19 per cent.

Malta’s main tourism markets continued to be the UK and Italy.

Total tourist spending, estimated at €54.8 million, grew by 36 per cent.

The number of visitors for the whole of 2012 surpassed the 1.45 million mark – an increase of two per cent over 2011 and an all-time high.

They are estimated to have spent €1.3 billion on their stays during the year – nine per cent higher than in 2011.

The government in a statement said the growth in tourism resulted in a stronger economy and higher unemployment.

It noted the 2012 records achieved in the number of visitors, the nights spent in Malta and their expenditure. December was the ninth record month of the year, it added.

The government increased the number of routes from 56 in 2008 to 81 in 2012, while investing in effective promotion abroad.