The number of cruise passengers visiting Malta last month rose to12,580 from just 2,193 in January last year, figures issued today by the NSO show. There were 1,398 visitors in January 2007. A total of five ships came to Malta in January compared to one in January 2008 and January 2007.

The figures also show that the average number of passengers per cruise liner is growing - reaching 2,516 per vessel last month, an increase of 323 passengers (14.7%) over the same month last year.

Almost 63% of passengers came from EU countries.

Viset acting general manager Stephen Xuereb said the increase in visitors in January was the result of some companies including Malta in their winter itineraries.

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