Fewer tourists visited last month, when compared to July last year - and their holiday in Malta was shorter.

The NSO said this morning that ourists in July 2009 were estimated at 135,783, a drop of 9.2 percent when compared to July last year. Total nights spent decreased by eight percent.

The majority, or 98.2 percent, came by air. An estimated 113,494 - the majority from EU states, came on holiday and 6,792 visited for business purposes.

Meanwhile, total nights spent in private accommodation decreased by 9.8 percent, and guest nights in collective accommodation registered a drop of 7.1 percent.

Overall, the average length of stay was 9.7 nights, practically unchanged when compared to 2008 levels.

Between January and July 633,651 tourists came, a decline of 12.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2008. The change was primarily due to fewer visits from the British, German and Scandinavian markets.

On the other hand, increases were recorded in the Italian, Libyan and Swiss markets.

The majority of tourists chose non-package travel with the demand for package trips decreasing by 12.4 per cent. The largest proportion of inbound passengers were aged between 45 and 64 years followed by those in the 25-44 age bracket.

Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €478.1 million, down by 13.4 percent when compared to 2008. Decreases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories.

The survey results indicate that per capita total expenditure is estimated at €770, up by 0.3 percent in comparison with 2008.