(Adds government's statement)

Tourist arrivals grew by 7.2 per cent in March as the recovery in the sector continued.

Figures issued this morning by the NSO show that 76,436 tourists came to Malta last month, an increase of 7.4 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year. During the same period, total nights spent were estimated at 631,155.

Tourstat results showed that 57,225 tourists visited Malta for holiday purposes, accounting for the absolute majority of tourist arrivals. The majority of departing tourists resided in EU Member States, while the number of Non-EU tourists was estimated at 7,310.

First-time visitors comprised 63 per cent of inbound tourists, while repeat tourists recorded an increase of 17 per cent.

During the same period, nights spent in both collective and private accommodation registered an increase. Overall, 83 per cent of inbound tourists resided in collective accommodation, while 17 per cent made use of private accommodation.

The average length of stay was calculated at 8.3 nights, up by 0.7 nights when compared to March 2009.

In the period January-March 2010 inbound tourists were estimated at 186,462, an increase of 7 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. In absolute terms, this change was mostly attributed to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the Italian, Spanish and British markets.

Decreases were recorded in the German and Russian markets.

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism said in a reaction that this was the fourth consecutive month in which an increase had been registered.

This was a positive sign which indicated that the government's work, together with that of the Tourism Authority and other stakeholders in the sector, was bearing the desired results.

Mario de Marco said that the country had to remain cautious because European economies were not completely out of the economic and financial crisis and the industry was a volatile one.

The volcanic ash crisis, he said, had cost the country some 13,000 tourists in a week and it had also affected bookings for the coming weeks because of uncertainety in the market.

European Tourism ministers today discussed the impact of the crisis through a video conference organised by European Commission vice-president Antonio Tajani.

During the conference Dr de Marco spoke on the need that Europe took measures to cushion such crises. Maltese tourism organisations and authorities had worked together to reduce the inconvenience of tourists stranded in Malta during the volcanic ash situation and as long as they conitnued to work together, they would be able to overcome difficulties and improve results.