UK and Italy remain most popular destinations among Maltese

According to statistics released by the National Statistics Office, the number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries in December was calculated at 26,925, while a further 4,119 trips headed towards Non-EU destinations.

The UK and Italy remained the two most popular tourism destinations among Maltese residents amounting to 53% of the total tourism market. There were decreases in almost all EU destinations, with the exception of the German market.

Males topped the outbound tourist trips, with 52% of the total. Most outbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age bracket (11,698), followed by the 45-64 age group (10,211). Out of a total of 33,218 outbound visitor trips, the number of same-day visitors was estimated at 2,174 - a marked decrease of 33% when compared to 2010.

Outbound passengers during 2011 totalled 308,296, an increase of 5% when compared to 2010. An estimated 89% of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations, with Italy and the UK ranking as the most popular destinations.

EU outbound trips advanced by 10% reaching 274,743, whereas the number of trips to non-EU destinations dropped by 24% and stood at 33,553. Trips to Germany increased slightly, while those to France dropped by 22%. There was a significant increase in the Italian market of 18%.

Male passengers outnumbered females and totalled 171,664. The majority of outbound tourists (40%) fell within the 25-44 year-old age group. These were followed by the 45-64 age bracket (31 per cent). The number of same-day visitors was estimated at 38,991.

Nearly 58% of outbound trips were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 18% were undertaken for business and professional reasons.

The average length of stay was highest among outbound tourists visiting relatives and friends, standing at 12.4 nights.

Total nights spent abroad amounted to over 2.3 million and the average length of stay was estimated at 7.5 nights. Last year, more than half the outbound tourists made use of collective accommodation. The average length of stay in collective accommodation establishments stood at 5.9 nights, while that recorded for private accommodation was estimated at 11.

Trips to EU and non-EU destinations had an average length of stay of 6.6 nights and 14.7 nights respectively. The longest average length of stay was registered for the British market.

Total outlay by Maltese tourists during 2011 stood at €296 million, equivalent to €128 per night. Total package expenditure stood at €44.8 million (€92.8 per night), while that for non-package trips stood at €91.5 million (€50.2 a night).