During March 2011, outbound tourist trips amounted to 23,061 – an increase of 2.3% over the corresponding month last year. Total nights spent abroad during the first quarter were estimated at 434,344.

Outbound tourist trips to EU countries during March numbered 21,616, while non-EU trips stood at 1,445. EU trips increased by 2,676, whereas Non-EU trips declined by 2,160, when compared to March last year. The UK and Italy were the two most popular destinations among Maltese tourists, in line with previous years.

On a gender basis, male tourists outnumbered females by 2,349 and stood at 12,705. The majority of outbound trips were carried out by passengers aged between 25-44 (8,424), followed by the 45-64 age group (7,713).

January-March 2011

The number of outbound tourist trips during the quarter under review stood at 61,701, up by 8 & when compared to 2010. EU outbound trips increased by 14 & to 54,668, with the UK and Italy being the main markets. Trips to Germany dropped slightly, while those to France remained practically unchanged. Non-EU trips registered a decrease of 24%, and stood at 7,033.

Female outbound tourists amounted to 25,860, or 42% of the total. Same-day visitors for the first quarter numbered 3,845, which is 31% less than those recorded in the previous year.

Further analysis of outbound tourists for the first quarter of 2011 shows that 66% resided in collective accommodation establishments, with the remaining 34% opting for private accommodation. The average length of stay of outbound tourists for this period was calculated at 7 nights.

Almost half of outbound trips were undertaken for holiday and leisure purposes. These were followed by trips undertaken for business and professional purposes (24%). Total outlay by Maltese tourists during this period stood at €53.3 million, equivalent to €123 per night.