Maltese tourist departures in October amounted to 21,406, a decrease of 8.5 per cent over the corresponding month last year.

Same-day visitor trips increased to 3,581.

18,981, or 89 per cent of total outbound trips were to EU destinations.

Both the EU and non -EU markets registered downward changes over 2010.

The UK and Italy remained the most popular destinations among Maltese travellers, albeit minor drops in both markets.

The majority of outbound trips were carried out by those aged between 25 and 44, followed those in the 45-64 age group. These numbered 9,935 and 7,048 respectively.

Outbound passengers throughout the ten-month period from January amounted to 256,702, seven per cent more than in the same time last year. The number of outbound trips heading towards EU countries stood at 229,329, or 89 per cent of the total.

Trips towards EU destinations advanced by 13 per cent and were mainly the result of increases in the British and Italian markets. Italy and the UK remained the most popular outbound destinations with a share of 56 per cent of the total market.

Trips to non-EU destinations dropped by 23 per cent and were estimated at 27,373.

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