In May 2006, the number of cruise passengers arriving in Malta rose by 6,941 to 43,033 – an increase of 19.2 per cent over the corresponding month a year ago.

Compared to May last year, the major increases in cruise passengers were recorded in the British, Spanish and French markets, by 2,936, 2,503 and 2,300 passengers respectively.

At 3,902, on the other hand, the number of cruise passengers arriving from the US was down by 1,091.

January-May 2006

During the first five months of the year, the number of cruise passengers visiting Malta rose by 34 per cent, to 99,714, an increase of 25,289 same-day visitors over the corresponding period in 2005. The major markets for cruise passengers were the German (27,623), Italian (18,450), Spanish (12,632) and French (12,159).

During the period under review, the number of male cruise passengers slightly exceeded female ones, accounting for 50.3 per cent of the total.

The greatest proportion of cruise passengers – 35.4 per cent – were aged 60-79 years, followed by passengers aged 40-59 and 20-39, at 34.3 and 17.4 per cent respectively.