The number of Maltese going abroad in December numbered 35,202, 13.2 per cent more than in the same month the previous year.

Total nights spent abroad between January and December were estimated at 2.6 million, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that the number of trips to EU countries in December stood at 30,760. Trips heading to Italy and the UK remained in the majority, with shares of 27 per cent of total tourist trips.

Outbound passengers last year totalled 331,311 - an increase of seven per cent when compared to 2011.

An estimated 86 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations, with Italy and the UK ranking as the most popular destinations. Trips to Italy increased by eight per cent, while those to the UK declined by two per cent.

Both EU and non-EU trips registered increases, reaching 285,885 and 45,426 respectively.

Total outlay by Maltese tourists last year stood at €339.7 million, equivalent to €132.8 per night. Total package expenditure stood at €53.5 million (€101 per night), while that for non-package trips stood at €107.2 million (€52.8 a night).

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