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Malta's tourism industry 1964-2005 • Tourism departures 2004 • Tourism departures 2005
Tourism departures 2006 • Tourism departures 2007

Data bank index
December 2007 - Arrivals up in 2007, but per capita expenditure dips
November 2007 - November departures up 15 per cent
October 2007 - Tourism set for new annual record
September 2007 – 18% more tourists in September
August 2007 - August arrivals up 7%, but 2007 spend drops
July 2007 - July tourism up 12 per cent
June 2007 - Arrivals up six per cent in first half of year
May 2007 - May arrivals up six points
April 2007 - Per capita tourist expenditure rises in 2007
March 2007 - Tourism and income up in March
February 2007 - More February tourists spend more cash
January 2007 - January tourism up 4%

Arrivals up in 2007, but per capita expenditure dips

Valletta, 28/01/08 - According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in December 2007 were estimated at 51,532, implying an increase of 10.9 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the Nordic, French and German markets. By contrast, a decrease was registered in tourists from the United Kingdom, Italy and Switzerland.

Meanwhile, total nights spent decreased by 9.6 per cent when compared to December 2006.

Year on year, total nights spent in private accommodation decreased by 35.1 per cent, while those in collective accommodation increased by 1.1 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 7.6 nights, down by 1.7 nights.

Inbound tourists for the past 12 months are estimated at 1,243,510, implying an increase of 10.6 per cent over 2006. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Nordic and Irish markets. Decreases were recorded with respect to the Austrian, Dutch and Belgian markets.

Total nights spent increased by 3.3 per cent when compared to 2006. Nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased respectively by 4.9 and 2.8 per cent. Tourist nights in rented accommodation remained practically unchanged while nights in owner occupied accommodation decreased by 3.5 per cent. By contrast, total nights spent in lodging with friends or relatives increased by 17.0 per cent. With regard to guest nights in collective accommodation a 22.8 per cent increase in the five star category was contrasted with a decrease in the three star and a lesser decrease in the four star categories.

The average length of stay of tourists in 2007 is calculated at 8.9 nights, down by 0.6 nights when compared to last year's level.

In the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm454.2 million, an increase of 6.0 per cent over 2006. The growth was underpinned by higher non-package and other expenditure. Although the majority are still opting for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are showing an increasing trend.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm373, down by 3.6 per cent when compared to 2006.

November departures up 15 per cent

Valletta, 31/12/07 - According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in November were estimated at 82,474, implying an increase of 15.3 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, Nordic and German markets.

By contrast, a decrease was registered in tourists from Russia, Italy and the US.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 7.7 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year on year, total nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased by 8.1 and 7.6 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 7.7 nights, down by 0.5 nights when compared to November 2006.

Inbound tourists for the past 11 months are estimated at 1,191,978, implying an increase of 10.6 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago.

The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Irish and Nordic markets. Decreases were recorded in respect of the Austrian, Dutch and Belgian markets.

Tourism set for new annual record

Valletta, 30/11/07 - According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in October were estimated at 139,932, implying an increase of 20.2 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, German and Dutch markets.

Total nights spent increased by 23.7 per cent when compared to the same month last year. Year on year, total nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased of 48.7 and 15.4 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 8.6 nights, longer by 0.3 nights when compared to October 2006.

Inbound tourists for the past 10 months are estimated at 1,109,504 implying an increase of 10.3 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Irish, Nordic and American markets. Decreases were recorded with respect to the Austrian, Dutch and Belgian markets.

18% more tourists in September

Valletta, 30/10/07 - According to the ongoing National Statistics Office survey, tourist departures in September were estimated at 143,698, implying an increase of 17.8 per cent over the same month in 2006.

The increase reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, French and Irish markets, contrasted with a decline in tourists from the Netherlands, Libya and Austria.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 10.8 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, total nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased respectively by 7.9 and 11.9 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 8.8 nights, shorter by 0.5 nights when compared to September 2006.

Inbound tourists for the past nine months are estimated at 969,572 implying an increase of nine per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Irish, Nordic and American markets. Decreases were recorded with respect to the Dutch, Austrian, Belgian and German markets.

August arrivals up 7%, but 2007 spend drops

Valletta, 27/09/07 - It's now official, August was a good month for tourism. According to the National Statistics Office (NSO) 176,372 tourists left the islands in August, an increase of 7.3 per cent over the same month in 2006 (164,302), but still down on August 2005 (178,319).

The increase, says the NSO, is a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, German and Irish markets - countries from which low cost carriers fly to Malta. On the other hand, there was a drop in tourists from Belgium, Italy (served by two LCCs) and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, total nights spent on the islands increased by 6.7 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, total nights spent in private accommodation increased by 27.3 per cent, while total nights in hotels decreased by 3.1 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay was 10.9 nights, shorter by 0.1 nights when compared to August 2006.

Meantime, in the first eight months of 2007 the NSO estimated that 825,874 tourists visited the islands - an increase of 7.6 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago.

The increases came principally from the British, Irish, Nordic and American markets. Whilst there were decreases from the Dutch, French, Austrian and Belgian markets.

The majority, 86.9 per cent, of all visitors came from EU member states. Although there was an increase in repeat visits in 2007, the NSO's data show that the overall hike was by first-time visitors; these accounted for 68.4 per cent of the total.

Per capita expenditure, says the NSO, stood at Lm386, down by 2.0 per cent when compared to the January to August period of 2006.

"The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged between 45 and 64, albeit the biggest increase is attributable to tourists aged 24 years and under", says the NSO.

Total nights spent are estimated to be on a par with 2006. Nights spent in private accommodation increased by 1.6 per cent, while those in hotels recorded a drop of 0.6 per cent. Nights in rented and owner occupied accommodation decreased by 1.9 and 12.3 per cent respectively, while those spent in lodgings with family and friends increased by 14.9 per cent.

With regard to total nights in "collective accommodation" there was a significant decrease in the three star category, contrasted with a stronger increase in the five star category.

The average length of stay is for the first eight months of the year was 9.1 nights, down by 0.7 nights when compared to last year's level.

Between January and August, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm311.2 million, an increase of 4.6 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package and other expenditure.

Although the majority of tourists are still opting for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are a rising trend.

July tourism up 12 per cent

Valletta, 30/08/07 - July was a good month for tourism - 12.1 per cent more people travelled to the islands than a year ago. In fact, 147,700 people came to Malta, most were from the UK, Italy and France, says the National Statistics Office (NSO).

On the down side there was a fall in arrivals from Belgium, Russia and the Nordic countries.

Meanwhile, total nights spent on the islands increased by 2.2 per cent compared to the same month in 2006. However, the average length of stay - at 9.7 nights - was shorter by 0.9 nights when compared to July 2006.

The number of tourists for the first seven months of the year is estimated at 649,502, an increase of 7.6 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago, says the NSO. "The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Nordic, Irish and Italian markets. Decreases were recorded in the French, Austrian, German and Dutch markets", reports the NSO.

Not surprisingly, 86.7 per cent of all tourists were from EU member states. "Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, the data show that the overall increase was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits, the latter estimated to account for 67.2 per cent of the total", explains the NSO.

The majority of tourists in the first seven months of the year were aged between 45 and 64. However, the biggest increase is attributable to tourists aged 24 years and under.

Total nights spent decreased by 2.1 per cent when compared to the same period in 2006, meaning shorter stays. Total nights spent in private accommodation went down by 8.2 per cent, while those in hotels remained almost unchanged. Tourist nights in rented and owner-occupied accommodation decreased by 15.3 and 9.3 per cent respectively, while those spent in lodgings with family and friends increased by 4.6 per cent.

There was a significant decrease in total nights spent in three star hotels whilst there was an increase in the five star category. The average length of stay - 8.6 nights - was down by 0.9 nights when compared to last year's level.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm232.7 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package and other expenditure. Although the majority of visitors are still opting for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are exhibiting an increasing trend.

Per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm367, down by 2.2 per cent when compared to the same period in 2006.

Arrivals up six per cent in first half of year

Valletta, 17/08/07 - In June an estimated 117,421 tourists visited the islands, according to the National Statistics Office; an increase of 7.7 per cent over the same month in 2006. In June there were holidaymakers from the UK, the Nordic countries and Ireland. However, there were fewer visitors from France, Germany and Italy.

On the other hand, total nights spent fell by 8.7 per cent compared to June 2006, says the NSO. Year-on-year, tourist nights in private and collective accommodation decreased, by 22.9 and two per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay was 8.2 nights, shorter by 1.4 nights when compared to June 2006.

Meanwhile, inbound tourists for the first six months of the year are estimated at 501,802, an increase of 6.4 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Nordic, Irish and Italian markets. Decreases were recorded from the French, German, Dutch and Austrian markets.

Eighty seven per cent of all visits comprised tourists coming from EU member states. Although there was an increase in repeat visits, data show that the overall increase was primarily from a rise in first-time visits, the latter estimated to account for 66.0 per cent of the total. The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged between 45 and 64, albeit the biggest increase is attributable to tourists aged 24 and under.

Total nights spent decreased by 3.5 per cent when compared to the same period in 2006, implying shorter stays. Year-on-year, nights spent in private accommodation went down by 11.8 per cent, while those in collective accommodation decreased by 0.8 per cent. Tourist nights in rented and owner-occupied accommodation decreased by 22.9 and 6.6 per cent respectively, while those spent in lodgings with family and friends increased by 2.9 per cent.

With regard to guest nights in collective accommodation there was a significant decrease in the three star category contrasted with an increase in the five star category. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.3 nights, down by 0.9 nights when compared to last year's level.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm172.7 million, an increase of 3.7 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package expenditure and other expenditure. Although the majority still opt for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are showing an increasing trend.

The NSO's survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm352, down by 1.9 per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year.

May arrivals up six points

Valletta, 25/06/07 - According to the National Statistics Office's ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in May are estimated at 109,027; an increase of 6.1 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, Nordic and Italian markets, contrasted with a decline in tourists from the Netherlands, France and Austria.

On the other hand, total nights spent fell by 4.5 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, total nights spent in private and collective accommodation decreased, by 12.4 and two per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 7.5 nights, shorter by 0.8 nights when compared to May 2006.

Arrivals for the first five months of the year, meanwhile, are estimated at 384,380 implying an increase of six per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the Scandinavian, Irish, Italian and British markets. Decreases were recorded from the French, Dutch, Austrian and Belgian markets.

Total nights spent decreased by 1.9 per cent when compared to the same period in 2006, implying shorter stays. Year-on-year, nights spent in private accommodation went down by 6.8 per cent, whilst those in collective accommodation decreased by 0.4 per cent. Tourist nights in rented accommodation and in lodgings with friends and relatives registered decreases, while those in owner-occupied accommodation remained almost unchanged.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm130.6 million, an increase of five per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package expenditure and other expenditure. Although the majority still opts for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are exhibiting an increasing trend.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm347, virtually unchanged when compared to the same period in the previous year.

Per capita tourist expenditure rises in 2007

Valletta, 08/06/07 - The National Statistics Office (NSO) reports that in April 101,792 tourists left the islands; of these 99,755 left by air and 2,037 left by sea. According to the NSO this is a 4.1 per cent increase in tourists over the same month last year.

The increase, says the NSO, is primarily because more Nordic and Irish citizens chose the islands for a holiday. On the other hand, there were fewer Italians and French in Malta in April.

Total nights spent here registered a 3.6 per cent increase when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, nights spent in private accommodation and hotels notched up increases of four and 3.5 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay remained unchanged at 8.8 nights.

Meanwhile, in the first four months of the year there has been an increase of 5.9 per cent in tourism over the same period last year. Between January and April 2007, 275,354 people visited the Maltese islands - 15,404 more than last year.

This growth is primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the Nordic, Irish, Italian and British markets, says the NSO. Main decreases included tourists from France, Germany, Belgium and Austria.

Total nights spent decreased by 0.9 per cent when compared to the same period in 2006, implying shorter stays. Year-on-year, nights spent in private accommodation went down by 4.7 per cent, whilst those in hotels rose marginally. Fewer nights in private accommodation "were manifested across all categories", the largest decline being in rented accommodation. For hotels, the decrease was category specific.

The drop in nights spent in the three star hotels offset all increases recorded in the remaining categories. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.7 nights, down by 0.6 nights when compared to last year's level.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm94.2 million, an increase of 7.9 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package expenditure. Although the majority of tourists still opt for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are on the rise.

Per capita expenditure is estimated at Lm349, up by 2.3 per cent when compared to the previous year

Tourism and income up in March

Valletta, 14/05/07 - March was another good month for tourism; with 71,281 departures in the last month of Q1, this was 6,938 more people than in March 2006 or an increase of 10.8 per cent.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) says the increase "reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers", mainly from Italy, France and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, there were fewer Americans, Austrians and Belgians in March.

Meantime, the total number of nights spent on the islands rose 1.1 per cent compared to March 2006. Year-on-year, nights spent in hotels remained almost unchanged, the NSO reports, while those staying in private accommodation increased by 5.6 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay stood at 8.4 nights, a drop of 0.8 nights compared to the same month a year ago.

Total tourist expenditure for March is estimated at Lm23.6 million, an increase of 12.8 per cent over the same month in 2006. "This increase was underpinned by higher non-package expenditure and other expenditure", claims the NSO.

More February tourists spend more cash

Valletta, 28/03/07 - February was another good month for tourist departures, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). There were 50,547 departures last month, an increase of 6.9 per cent over the same month in '06 - up from 47,301.

As in January, the majority of visitors were holidaymakers with the greatest increases from the Nordic countries - Scandinavia and Finland - with 1,943 departures, up from 1,064 in February '06.

There was also a 95 per cent increase in departures by Swiss nationals - 1,042 in February compared to 534 a year before. The Italian market also showed an increase of 15.7 per cent with 3,854 tourists, whilst Malta's bread and butter market, the United Kingdom, registered a small rise of 2.5 per cent with 24,411 departures, up from 23,814 last year.

Markets that showed a drop last month include Austria (-7.9 per cent), France and Germany (-9.6 points each), Libya (-23 per cent) and the Netherlands (-15.9 per cent).

However, although there was an increase in traffic last month, the NSO says there was a 3.4 per cent decrease in total nights spent in hotels "attributable to shorter stays, but nights spent in private accommodation increased by 8.9 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay decreased by 0.9 nights to 9.1 nights".

January tourism up 4%

Valletta, 14/03/07 – In January there was an increase of 2.4 per cent in tourists compared to the same month in 2006. Tourists also spent 3.9 per cent more in January 2007 than 12 months before, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Tourist departures in January were estimated at 51,736; the increase reflects primarily an increase in holidaymakers from Italy and the Nordic countries. On the other hand, there were fewer visitors from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Libya, Switzerland and the US.

The NSO’s ongoing frontier survey, meanwhile, shows a nine-point decrease in total nights spent by tourists on the islands in January. This, says the NSO, is “attributable to shorter stays in private accommodations. On the other hand, nights spent in hotel accommodation increased by 2.8 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay decreased by 1.1 nights to 8.6 nights when compared to the same month last year”.

Year-on-year, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm18.5 million, an increase of 3.9 per cent over January 2006. This increase was underpinned by higher package expenditure “and other expenditure”.

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