Outbound Maltese tourists for May were estimated at 20,482, down by 13.3 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year. Of these, 82.1 per cent travelled by air.

In the month under review, Maltese residents departing by air and sea were estimated at 20,482, the majority of whom – 89.0 per cent – travelled to EU destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK.

In addition, an estimated 2,252 outbound tourists opted for non-EU destinations. Of total travellers, the majority fell in the 25-44 age bracket.

January-May

The number of Maltese passengers departing by air and sea during this period amounted to 102,870, slightly up over the corresponding period last year. Of these, 87.2 per cent travelled to EU destinations; the most visited countries remain the UK and Italy.

Male outbound passengers exceeded female ones, the former accounting for 60.4 per cent of the total. The largest proportion of outbound passengers – 48.8 per cent – comprised passengers aged between 25 and 44, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket who accounted for 38.4 per cent of total outbound tourists.