Tourist arrivals last year grew by 9.6 per cent, according to the quarterly Deloitte survey carried out of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Presenting the report, Deloitte’s Raphael Aloisio said occupancy levels increased by two per cent, 1.5 per cent and 6.9 per cent for the 5-star, 4-star and 3-star categories respectively and guest nights grew by 8.7 per cent.

The report showed that the average achieved room rate for 5-star hotels stood at €111.8, more than twice that of the four-star sector. The gross operating profit, which took into account the rate and occupancy, was €12,469, €6,887 and €2,723, for the five- four- and three-star categories, respectively. In 2009 the figures were €7,514, €4,475 and €1,226.

According to the report, four in every five 5-star hotels believe rates will be much better or better while 75 per cent of the four-stars think they will be better. In the 3-star category 64 per cent believed rates would improve.

Speaking on booking and rates in the first two months of this year, MHRA council member Julian Diacono said 72 per cent reported better rates and there was an overall increase in bookings for March, April and May, unevenly spread across the hotel categories.