The number of Maltese going abroad increased by 15.3 percent to 95,927 in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time ast year, the NSO said this morning.  

Tourist trips to EU countries stood at 86,627, an increase of 19.3 per cent over the same quarter in 2014. Italy and the United Kingdom remained the most popular destinations, with a share of 54.2 per cent of total tourist trips.

Total nights spent by outbound tourists increased by 9.6 per cent, reaching 738,182 nights.  

Total estimated spending by tourists between April and June increased by 16.8 per cent over the same quarter of last year, and stood at €89.5 million, equivalent to an average of €933 per trip.

January-June 2015

Total outbound tourist trips between January and June 2015 numbered 174,881, an increase of 8.9 per cent over 2014. Total nights spent by outbound tourists went up by 1.5 per cent, reaching 1.3 million nights.

In addition, total estimated outlay by resident tourists stood at €160.6 million, 8.6 per cent higher than that recorded for the same period in 2014.