Arrivals at five-star hotels increase, three-star hotels register drop

Reported arrivals in collective accommodation establishments totaled 148,019 in August, up by 4.3 per cent over last year. Total nights also increased by 1.5 per cent to 1,020,209.

Arrivals in collective accommodation establishments increased in almost all star categories, with the exception of 3-star hotels, which declined by 2.3 per cent. The 5-star category registered the highest increases among hotel arrivals (8.9 per cent) and totalled 39,027. Guests arriving in other collective accommodation establishments also rose by 9.5 per cent and stood at 13,350.

Guest nights increased in almost all hotel categories, except for 3-star hotels, which registered a decline of 1.8 per cent. At 6.9 nights, the overall average length of stay remained almost unchanged when compared to the previous year.

The net use of bed-places stood at 82.9 per cent - an increase of nearly 1 percentage point when compared to August 2011. Increases in occupancy rates were noted in almost all types of collective accommodation establishments, except for 2-star hotels, where occupancy rates dropped by 7.3 percentage points. On the other hand, the highest increase in occupancy rate (3.9 percentage points) was registered in 3-star hotels, which stood at 73.8 per cent for the month under review.

Total arrivals in Malta amounted to 138,075 - 4.0 per cent more than in 2011. Total nights stood at 978,384, with an average length of stay of 7.1 nights. Decreases in arrivals and nights were recorded only for 3-star hotels. The occupancy rate was calculated at 83.2 per cent - 0.5 per cent higher than last year.

For the month under review, total arrivals and nights in Gozo and Comino numbered 9,943 and 41,825 respectively. The average length of stay went up by 0.3 of a night and was calculated at 4.2 nights. The net use of bed-places in Gozo and Comino rose to 76.8 per cent - 9.3 percentage points more than in 2011.

Almost all hotel categories and other collective accommodation establishments registered substantial increases in the occupancy rate.

The net use of bed-places in 3-star hotels remained at par with last year.

On a national level, there were 157 establishments operating during the month, 89.8 per cent of which were in Malta. On average, each establishment had 2.2 beds per room. The total number of bedrooms in Malta stood at 17,259 - down by 132 rooms when compared to 2011. The net number of bed-places in Gozo and Comino stood at 1,756.