Tourist arrivals in February were estimated at 65,299, 6.3 per cent more than in the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said 51,216 on holiday and 7,695 for business purposes. Most were from EU states.

Tourists from non-EU countries increased by 22.5 per cent. The largest proportion were aged between 45 and 64, followed by those within the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent went up by 3.8 per cent, to 496,350. An increase was noted in the number of tourists residing in private accommodation.

During the reference month, total tourist expenditure was estimated at €47 million, an increase of 4.6 per cent over the corresponding month last year.

In January and February 134,824 tourists arrived, an increase of 6.7 per cent over the same period last year. The total nights they spent in Malta went up by 7.3 per cent, reaching 1,068,095.

Total tourism expenditure was estimated at €103.2 million, 7.1 per cent higher than that recorded for the corresponding period last year.

Total per capita expenditure stood at €765, a slight increase over the previous year.