Malta registers another increase in tourists arrivals

Total arrivals and nights spent in collective accommodation establishments during October advanced by 3.1 and 2.0 per cent respectively when compared to the corresponding month last year

Total arrivals in collective accommodation establishments during the month under review numbered 152,345, while total nights spent amounted 843,251. All hotel categories recorded increases in total nights spent, except 2-star hotels.

According to the National Statistics Office, the largest share of guest nights was reported in 4-star hotels, accounting for 414,809 nights, or 49.2 per cent of the total.

The average length of stay in collective accommodation establishments went down from 5.6 nights in October 2013 to 5.5 nights during the month under review. The net use of bed-places stood at 66.9 per cent, up by 1.8 percentage points when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Total arrivals in Malta numbered 144,883, up by 3.5 per cent over October 2013. Additionally, a rise of 1.7 per cent was recorded in the number of nights spent. Meanwhile, the average length of stay edged down by 0.1 of a night to 5.6, when compared to last year. The net occupancy rate advanced from 65.5 per cent to 67.2 per cent.

Total registered arrivals in Gozo and Comino decreased by 4.7 per cent to 7,462. On the other hand, total nights spent went up by 9.2 per cent to 35,368.

On a national level, there were 166 active collective accommodation establishments during October, with a net capacity of 18,610 bedrooms and 40,922 bed-places. On average, each establishment had 2.2 beds per room.

Total arrivals during the first ten months amounted to almost 1.4 million, an increase of 7.2 per cent over 2013. Total nights spent went up by 3.3 per cent, reaching 7.8 million. The net use of bed-places advanced by 2.8 percentage points to stand at 65.7 per cent.

In a reaction, the government said the positive results were most effective in Gozo, with a record 35,000 nights spent marking a 9% increase over October 2013.

Five star hotels marked the highest increase in Gozo, registering 50% of the nights spent by tourists.

“The latest figures follow months of success registered in the tourism sector. The total number of arrivals during first 10 months of this year amounted to 1.4 million while total nights spent reached 7.8 million,” tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis, adding that reducing the seasonality factor means increased stability.

“The government remains committed to ensure continuous success in the sector, promoting investment and creating more jobs.”