Outbound Maltese tourists were down by 13.3 percent in May when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Of these, 82.1 percent travelled by air.

The National Statistics Office said that in the month under review, Maltese residents departing by air and sea were estimated at 20,482. The majority - 89 percent, travelled to EU destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK.

In addition, an estimated 2,252 outbound tourists opted for non-EU destinations.

The majority of travellers were in the 25-44 age bracket.

The NSO said that the number of Maltese passengers departing by air and sea between January and May amounted to 102,870, slightly more than in the corresponding period last year.

Of these, 87.2 per cent travelled to EU destinations with the most visited countries being the UK and Italy.

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