According to a FELTOM survey, conducted by Deloitte, FELTOM-affiliated schools have reported increases in total revenue in 2023 of 10.9% compared to 2019.
According to the report, published Thursday, tuition revenue per student week also increased by 17.7% relative to 2019 and accommodation revenue also saw an increase of 7.1% compared to 2019 levels.
These were some of the main outcomes of the FELTOM survey which was presented to industry stakeholders during a press conference hosted at Deloitte.
Addressing the event, Rebecca Bonnici, Chairperson of FELTOM noted how following the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, FELTOM’s schools have been demonstrating remarkable resilience
“The report showed how in 2023, Malta welcomed 78,600 ELT students but even though this represents a slight decrease of 6.1% compared to the 83,600 students registered in 2019, it is clear that the English Language Teaching (ELT) sector in Malta is on the mend.”
Bonnici noted how the increased student weeks and the shift in seasonality indicate an interesting and positive development in the ELT sector, placing it as an important niche to drive tourist volumes in the traditional shoulder months.
The revenue growth, driven by increased tuition and accommodation fees was also supported by a notable 15.2% increase in student weeks experienced by the sector when compared to 2019. This positive trend is attributed to longer stays during the shoulder months, with the average length of stay increasing from 19.8 days in 2019 to 24.3 days in 2023.
"It is clear that students are choosing to spend more time in Malta to enrich their learning experience and as a result, they are contributing more significantly to the local economy. While this is a trend that we intend to keep on pushing for, the growing figures are a result of a combined commitment by all stakeholders including the Ministry for Tourism, the ELT Council, the schools and all the academic staff,” said Bonnici.
Commending FELTOM for its role in driving the growth of the sector, Minister for Tourism Hon Clayton Bartolo noted how the trend in 2023 to diversify student source markets and to push for longer stays reflects Malta’s tourism strategy on a national level and reiterated the commitment by Government and MTA to keep supporting this important industry.
The ELT sector attracted students from non-traditional markets such as Brazil, Japan, and Colombia. Student arrivals from non-EU/EEA countries accounted for 24% of total student arrivals but represented a significant 59% of total student weeks due to the longer training programs pursued by this cohort.
This report also reconfirmed the ELT sector as a vital niche within Malta's tourism industry, accounting for approximately 9.4% of total tourist guest nights. And an indicative total annual expenditure by ELT students of approximately €155 million which accounts for 5.8% of total tourist expenditure in 2023, underscores the sector's substantial economic impact.
The report also showed how there has been a clear reduction in the seasonality of ELT students, with Quarters 1 and 4 combined accounting for 41.2% of total student weeks in 2023 compared to 32% in 2019.
"This report matters because it tells a story. It tells a story that people choose Malta, choose to study English, choose FELTOM schools and choose excellence with our accreditation mark of excellence,” said added Jessica Rees-Jones, FELTOM’s newly appointed Chief Executive officer.
“The report also reflects the ELT sector's ability to attract students from a wide range of countries. This enhances Malta's international appeal and supports the sustainability of our tourism industry," she added.
“As the ELT sector continues to evolve, at FELTOM, we are committed to ensuring that this sector remains a key pillar in Malta's tourism landscape. The longer stays and the increased student weeks reflect a positive trend that if sustained, should ensure that the sector remains a robust contributor to the local economy,” concluded Ms Rees-Jones.