Inbound tourists during March are estimated to have increased by 10.8 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Over the same period, total tourist expenditure increased by 12.8 per cent, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday.

According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in March are estimated at 71,281, implying an increase of 10.8 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holiday makers – mainly from the Italian, French and British markets.

A minor decrease was registered in the Belgian, Austrian and American markets.

Tourists staying in collective and private accommodation establishments registered increases when compared to March 2006.

Total nights spent registered a 1.1 per cent increase when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, nights spent in collective accommodation remained almost unchanged while those in private accommodation increased by 5.6 per cent.

Overall, the average length of stay stood at 8.4 nights, indicating a drop of 0.8 nights when compared to the same month a year ago.

Total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm23.6 million, an increase of 12.8 per cent over the same month in 2006. This increase was underpinned by higher non-package and other expenditure.