Regional Tourism Demand: 2015-2017

Total domestic trips to and from the Malta, and Gozo and Comino regions in 2017 amounted to 260,763, an increase of 10.3 per cent when compared to 2016, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said yesterday.

The NSO published the salient points of a statistical compendium conducted by the National Statistics Office, which sheds light on the regional tourism demand.

Malta residents who visited the Gozo and Comino region for duration of at least one night accounted for 52.4 per cent of total tourists (domestic + inbound) visiting this region. On average these stayed 2.8 nights, and mainly belonged to the 25 to 44 age bracket (43.6 per cent).

89.9 per cent travelled for holiday purposes. Stays in private accommodation establishments (including rented accommodation) increased by 1.0 per cent over 2016, whereas those who stayed in collective accommodation increased 35.6 per cent over the same period.

An estimated €40 million was spent, signifying an 8.9 per cent more when compared to 2016.

Gozo and Comino residents who travelled to Malta region amounted to 23,924, an increase of 32.0 per cent when compared to 2016.

Inbound Tourism In 2017

Inbound tourism stood at 2,273,837, an increase of 15.7 per cent when compared to 2016. More than half of these tourists came to MALTA using low-cost airlines (52.1 per cent).

Inbound tourists visiting Malta region only (single centre destination) surpassed the 2.0 million, increasing by 15.9 per cent when compared to 2016. They were more likely to stay in collective accommodation establishments (69.4 per cent). On average tourists stayed 7.0 nights, down by 0.3 of a night when compared to 2016.

Inbound tourists visiting Gozo and Comino region only (single centre destination) amounted to 92,285, an increase of 9.0 per cent over 2016. These were more likely to stay in private accommodation (67.3 per cent); the majority (64.4 per cent) opted for rented accommodation. On average they stayed 9.2 nights, down by 0.5 of a night when compared to 2016.

Inbound tourists visiting both regions during their stay (twin centre destination) accounted for 5.4 per cent of the total inbound tourism trips. They totalled 122,611, an increase of 16.6 per cent over 2016. These were more likely to stay in private accommodation establishments (51.6 per cent).

On average they stayed 11.0 nights, down by 0.3 of a night compared to 2016.