Outbound trips in October, estimated at 23,387, were up by 6,070, when compared to the corresponding month last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

Those heading for EU (19,899) and non-EU destinations (3,488) increased by 34 and 38 per cent respectively, with Italy registering the largest growth. Positive shifts were also noted in the British and French markets.

The majority of outbound travellers were male, exceeding females by 66 per cent, and nearly half of these fell within the 25 to 44 age bracket. Same-day visitors in October were calculated at 2,286, or 23 per cent fewer than 2009.

Outbound passengers in the 10-month period from January to October amounted to 239,010, up nine per cent over last year.

The estimated number of outbound trips to EU countries was 203,690 and made up 85 per cent of the total, with the most visited countries being Italy and the UK. Trips to non-EU destinations increased by eight per cent.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers in this period was also in the 25 to 44 bracket, at 100,708, followed by the 45 to 64 age group.