Outbound Maltese tourists for July were estimated at 35,313, down by 2.4 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year. Of these, 84.9 per cent travelled by air.

The majority of the 35,313 - 86.7 per cent - travelled to EU destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK. In addition, an estimated 4,702 outbound tourists opted for non-EU destinations.

The 25-44-age bracket accounted for the majority of travellers.

January-July 2009

The number of Maltese passengers departing by air and sea between January-July amounted to 163,109, a marginal decrease over the corresponding period last year. Of these, 87.1 per cent travelled to EU destinations; the most visited countries remain Italy and the UK.

Outbound passengers were distributed into 58.5 per cent males and 41.5 per cent females.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers - 46.6 per cent - comprised persons aged between 25 and 44 years, followed by those in the 45-64-age bracket who accounted for 37.4 per cent of total outbound tourists.