Inbound tourists in March 2008 are estimated to have increased by 27.0 per cent when compared to the same month in 2007. Year on year, total nights spent increased by 21.1 per cent.

March 2008 - According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in March 2008 are estimated at 90,504, implying an increase of 27.0 per cent over the same month in 2007. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holiday makers, mainly from the German, Italian and Spanish markets. Tourists coming from Ireland, the Netherlands and Libya registered decreases.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 21.1 per cent when compared to the same month in 2007. Year on year, total nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased by 23.7 and 20.5 per cent respectively. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 8.0 nights, shorter by 0.4 nights when compared to March 2007.

January-March 2008 - Inbound tourists for the first quarter of 2008 are estimated at 211,689, implying an increase of 22.0 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the German, Italian and Spanish markets. On the other hand decreases were recorded in the British, Russian and Libyan markets.

87.9 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 in the period under review was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits, with the latter estimated to account for 65.6 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 13.0 per cent when compared to the same period in 2007. Nights spent in both private and collective accommodation increased the former by 37.6 per cent and the latter by 7.2 per cent. More specifically, tourist nights in rented, owner-occupied and in lodgings with family and friends all registered increases, while the increase in total guest nights registered in the 5- and 4- star hotel categories was contrasted by a decline in the 3- star category. Nights spent in establishments classified as ‘other collective’ also registered a substantial increase. The average length of stay is calculated at 8.0 nights, down by 0.7 nights when compared to last year’s level.

In the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at €142.7 million, an increase of 4.9 per cent over 2007. The growth in non-package and other expenditure was contrasted by a reduction in package expenditure.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at €684, down by 14.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.