GozoNews.Com

Inbound tourists in February 2008 are estimated to have increased by 13.4 per cent when compared to the same month in 2007. Year on year, total nights spent increased by 1.6 per cent.

February 2008 - According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in February 2008 are estimated at 57,335, implying an increase of 13.4 per cent over the same month in 2007. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holiday makers, mainly from the German, Spanish and Italian markets. Tourists coming from the UK registered a decrease.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 1.6 per cent when compared to the same month in 2007. Year on year, total nights spent in private accommodation increased by 8.3 per cent, while those in collective accommodation remained relatively unchanged. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 8.1 nights, shorter by one night when compared to February 2007.

January-February 2008 - Inbound tourists for the first two months are estimated at 121,185, implying an increase of 18.5 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the German, Spanish and French markets. The British market registered a decrease.

86.6 per cent of all inbound visits comprised tourists coming from EU Member States. Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, data show that the overall increase was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits. The latter are estimated to account for 63.8 per cent of total visits. The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged 45- 64, albeit the strongest increase is attributable to the 25-44 age bracket.

Total nights spent increased by 7.7 per cent when compared to the same period in 2007. Nights spent in private accommodation increased by 47.1 per cent while those in collective accommodation registered a decline of 1.5 per cent. Tourist nights in rented, owner-occupied and in lodging with family and friends registered increases. With regard to guest-nights in collective accommodation, the 5-star category and those establishments classified as other collective accommodation registered increases, while the 4- and 3-star categories registered decreases. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.0 nights, down by 0.8 nights when compared to last year’s level.

In the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at €80.2 million, a decrease of 0.9 per cent over 2007. The growth in non-package and other expenditure was offset by a reduction in package expenditure. As from 2008, the number of tourists visiting Malta on direct bookings and non-package trips exceeded package ones, the latter accounting for 41.8 per cent of the total.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at €672, down by 16.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.