Tourist arrivals in August were estimated at 317,490, more than 10.2 per cent more than the same month in 2017.

The National Statistics Office said 290,734 tourists visited Malta for a holiday, while 8,980 came for business purposes.

Arrivals from EU states went up by 8.6% to 266,492 when compared to August 2017. Most arrivals - 44% - were aged between 25 and 44, followed by those within the 0-24 age bracket (28.2%).

Total nights spent went up by 5.7% when compared to August 2017, surpassing 2.7 million nights. The largest share of guest nights (46.9%) was spent in collective accommodation. This comprises hotels, guesthouses, hostels, tourist villages, holiday complexes, bed and breakfasts and campsites.

Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €320.6 million, an increase of 7.2% over the same month in 2017.

Arrivals in the first eight months of 2018 reached 1,765,402, an increase of 15.7% over the same period in 2017. Total nights spent by inbound tourists went up by 14.1%, reaching nearly 12.8 million nights.

Total tourism expenditure was estimated at €1.4 billion, 10.2% higher than that recorded for 2017.

Total expenditure per capita stood at €817, a decrease of 4.8% when compared to 2017.