A survey conducted among 68 museums and historical sites across Malta and Gozo revealed that these sites registered 1.9 million admissions last year, down by 10 per cent over 2010, the NSO said today.
 
In 2011, the number of museums and historical sites in Malta and Gozo stood at 68, the same as the previous year. More than half the sites were owned by private organisations or the Church Organisations while the rest were owned by the State.
 
Total admissions were 1.9 million, over half of whom were adults and a quarter were group entries

Paid admissions accounted for the majority of admissions. 
In 2011, full-time paid staff employed by museums and historical sites continued declining as in previous years, reaching 285 - a drop of nearly 10 per cent compared to the previous year. The majority of persons employed on a full-time basis was classified as 'other' staff, which include clerks, cleaners, messengers and security personnel.. Part-time employment in museums
and historical sites also showed a decrease of 3 per cent, and numbered 98.

On the other hand, there was a 2 per cent increase in voluntary staff, amounting to 172. There was also a sharp increase among part-time and voluntary museum guides.

Total recurrent expenditure for active museums and historical sites in 2011 reached €12.2 million - an average of €179,642 per entity. There was an increase of 8 per cent in total expenditure compared to 2010 levels. Fifty-five per cent of total expenditure was on staff costs, and 14 and 13 per cent was
spent on administrative and sub-contracting expenses respectively. The total income for these organisations amounted to €13.1 million, an average of €192,169 per site.

Admission fees continued to be the main source of reported income.