A total of 17,426 Maltese went abroad in February, 11.9 per cent more than in the same month last year.

The National Statistics Office said there were also 1,397 same-day visitors.

Visitors to EU destinations numbered 15,060 - 1,677 trips more than last year. A further 2,366 trips headed towards non-EU destinations.

Italy and the UK were the most popular destinations for Maltese tourists.

Men made up 62 per cent of the Maltese going abroad.

The NSO said that in the first two months of this year, a total of 34,822 Maltese went abroad - 29,737 to EU destinations.

Italy and the UK accounted for 59 per cent of total outbound trips chosen by Maltese tourists.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers fell within the 25-44 age bracket, followed by those in the 45-64 age group.

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