Record number of arrivals for August, with a 3.4% increase compared to 2015

According to figures published by the National Statistics Office, the number of inbound visitors to Malta in August reached a new record high of 256,782, registering an increase of 3.4% over the same month last year.

Total inbound tourists (excluding cruise passengers spending overnights in Malta) increased by 2.8% or 6,845 more tourists. The number of nights spent by tourists reached 2.37 million, increasing marginally by 0.7%. The average length of stay declined marginally from 9.6 nights in August 2015 to 9.4 nights in August 2016.

Almost 105,000 additional tourists visited Malta during the period January to August compared to same period last year. The number of nights stayed by tourists reached 10.1 million, recording an increase of 5.7%. Tourist expenditure increased by 3.6%, reaching €1.16bn, €39.7m more over same period last year.

Both holiday and business motivations registered substantial growth rates during this eightmonth period, increasing by 9.9% and 8.5% respectively. Additionally, the increase was mainly generated by non-package type and relatively younger aged tourists. Seven out of 10 additional tourists fall in the age bracket of 0 to 44.

The United Kingdom registered the largest absolute increase of 21,509 more tourists compared to same period last year, followed by Italy with 12,923 more tourists. Significant growth in the number of inbound tourists was also recorded from Germany, France, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands and the USA.

The Malta Tourism Authority is very pleased with the new record achieved in inbound visitors during the first eight months of this year. The tourism industry is reaping the benefits of MTA’s strategy to diversify the source markets, attract a relatively younger age tourist motivated by both leisure and business reasons.