Outbound trips increased slightly over 2011

Outbound trips during June totalled 26,049, a slight increase over 2011. Same-day visitors increased substantially, bringing total outbound visitor trips to 32,587 according tot he National Statistics Office data issued on Friday.

During  the  month  under  review,  86  per  cent  of  outbound  tourists  travelled  to  EU  destinations, while a further 14 per cent chose to travel outside the EU. Italy and the UK continued to be the most popular  destinations  among  Maltese  tourists,  with  shares  of  31  and  20  per  cent  of  the  total respectively. Almost all European markets recorded decreases, with the exception of the French market, which remained virtually unchanged from last year.

The majority of outbound tourists were males, and stood at 14,542, or 56 per cent of the total. On the other hand, female tourists declined by 5 per cent. The largest proportion of outbound tourists were in the 25-44 age bracket, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket.

Total  outbound  trips  recorded  by  mid-2012  were  estimated  at  135,603,  up  by  2  per  cent  when compared to last year. An estimated 86 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations, with Italy and the UK prevailing as the most popular destinations. Trips to Italy increased by 5 per cent, while those to the UK dropped by 5 per cent. Same-day visitors numbered 18,559.

Just over half the total outbound trips were made for holiday purposes, while a further 24 per cent were  undertaken  for  business  and  professional  purposes.  Non-package  travel  was  significantly higher than package travel, making up an estimated 79 per cent of total outbound trips.

Total nights spent abroad amounted to 986,798, while the average length of stay was estimated at  7.3  nights.  The  majority  of  outbound  tourists  made  use  of  collective  accommodation establishments  while  abroad.  The  average  length  of  stay  in  collective  accommodation  stood  at 5.2 nights, while that recorded in private accommodation was 11.7 nights. Trips towards EU destinations had an average length of stay of 6.1 nights, while the average stay registered for Non-EU countries stood at 14.7 nights.

The total budgeted expenditure incurred by outbound tourists during the first half of 2012 stood at €127 million, or an average of €128 per person per night.