The number of cruise passenger arrivals last month fell by almost a quarter when compared to August last year.

The National Statistics Office said figures dropped by 24.1 per cent to 58,172.

The cruises have been badly hit this year by the global recession. Since the beginning of the year passenger numbers have fallen by 28.2 per cent or 248,870. The drops were mostly seen in the Italian and Spanish markets.

Meanwhile, the Labour party in a statement said the government should draw up a tourism strategy to assist the industry and ensure the country remains a tourist destination all year round.

Labour Party spokesman Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said the government should not impose further costs on operators and should make the country more competitive, by reducing tax on restaurant services for instance.

Ms Coleiro Preca said it should also set rigid timeframes for the completion of related projects and should embark on a new programme to clean up and embellish the country.

Last week, the Hotels and Restaurants Association said tourism in summer was manageable but its future remained unsure and next year could turn out to be tougher.

Speaking at the launch of the association's hotel survey, its president Kevin De Cesare said figures showed a weak performance and the industry's fourth quarter of decline.