Tourist arrivals were up by 21.3% in April compared to the same month last year.

Most of the 121,947 tourists who visited Malta in April were holidaymakers, although a notable increase was observed in those travelling for business purposes, the National Statistics Office said.

First-time visitors accounted for 72 per cent of total tourists, an increase of 24 per cent over last year.

The majority of tourists came from the UK and Italy while a notable increase was noted in the French and German markets.

The largest share of tourists visiting Malta stayed for at least seven nights, however, an increase of 48 per cent was registered for short stays of up to three nights.

Tourists spent in Malta a total of 790,613 nights, up by six per cent when compared to 2010.

Between January and April, tourists visiting Malta totalled 351,955, up by 23 per cent when compared to 2010.

Both EU and non-EU trips to Malta registered upward changes and were estimated at 294,956 and 56,999, respectively. Increases were noted in the number of both package and non-package trips.

The average length of stay for this period stood at 7.3 nights, down by 0.4 of a night over 2010.

Total tourist expenditure for the first four months this year was estimated at €249.4 million, up by 16 per cent over 2010.

Increases were recorded throughout all expenditure categories, while the largest increase was noted in package expenditure. Per capita expenditure stood at €709, five per cent less than last year.

TOURISM PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT'S REACTION

The Tourism Secretariat welcomed the results which it said were the fruit of government investment on three tourism pillars in which the government is investing through capital and infrastructural projects as well as schemes for tourism operators and employees in the sector, effective promotion and accessibility.

To improve accessibility, four new routes were introduced this year - to and from Belfast, Munich, Nuremburg and Basel.