Tourist arrivals in August hit a record figure, rising by almost 10 per cent to exceed 163,000 when compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said.

Bed nights also increased, by 7.3 per cent, in the same period with the total amount adding up to 1.1 million, it said.

Almost all hotel categories recorded increases with the exception of 4-star properties, which posted a two per cent drop. This category accounted for 42 per cent of total nights.

The average length of stay was 6.7 nights, practically unchanged.