The number of tourists in August is estimated to have gone up by 7.3 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006, while year-on-year, total nights spent increased by 6.7 per cent, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday.

According to the ongoing frontier survey, tourist departures in August 2007 are estimated at 176,372 implying an increase of 7.3 per cent over the same month in 2006. The increase reflects primarily a rise in holidaymakers, mainly from the British, Irish and German markets, contrasted with a decline in tourists from Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Meanwhile, total nights spent increased by 6.7 per cent when compared to the same month in 2006. Year-on-year, total nights spent in private accommodation increased by 27.3 per cent, while total nights in collective accommodation decreased by 3.1 per cent. Overall, the average length of stay is calculated at 10.9 nights, shorter by 0.1 nights when compared to August 2006.

January-August 2007

The number of inbound tourists for the past eight months is estimated at 825,874, an increase of 7.6 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in holiday visits, mainly from the British, Irish, Scandinavian and American markets. Decreases were recorded in the Dutch, French, Austrian and Belgian markets.

86.9 per cent of all inbound visits comprised tourists coming from EU member states. Although there was an increase in repeat tourism, the data show that the overall increase was primarily characterised by a rise in first-time visits, the latter estimated to account for 68.4 per cent of the total. The largest age bracket comprised tourists aged between 45 and 64, albeit the biggest increase is attributable to tourists aged 24 years and under.

Total nights spent are estimated to be on a par when compared to the same period in 2006.

Nights spent in private accommodation increased by 1.6 per cent, while those in collective accommodation recorded a drop of 0.6 per cent. Tourist nights in rented and owner-occupied accommodation decreased by 1.9 and 12.3 per cent respectively, while those spent in lodgings with family and friends increased by 14.9 per cent. With regard to total nights in collective accommodation there was a significant decrease in the 3-star category contrasted with a stronger increase in the 5-star category.

The average length of stay is calculated at 9.1 nights, down by 0.7 nights when compared to last year’s level.

During the period under review, total tourist expenditure is estimated at Lm311.2 million, an increase of 4.6 per cent over the same period in 2006. The increase was underpinned by higher non-package and other expenditure. Although the majority are still opting for package travel, direct bookings and non-package stays are exhibiting an increasing trend.

The survey results indicate that the per capita total expenditure is estimated at Lm386, down by 2.0 per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year.