MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that during May, total arrivals in the Maltese Islands reached 128,633, an increase of 7.0 per cent over last year. Total nights spent went up by 6.2 per cent and were calculated at 690,832.

The number of arrivals in collective accommodation establishments went up in almost all categories with the exception of 2-star hotels, which declined by 17.1 per cent. The largest increase in arrivals was recorded in the 4-star hotel category and amounted to 6.3 per cent.

Guests arriving in other collective accommodation advanced by 17.3 per cent to 9,797. Guest nights in collective accommodation increased by 6.2 per cent. Increases were reported in all accommodation categories, with 2-star hotels recording the least increase.

The average length of stay remained almost unchanged and was calculated at 5.4 nights. The net use of bed-places stood at 57.5 per cent. The 4-star hotel category recorded a drop in its occupancy rate of 1.8 percentage points and stood at 65.4 per cent. The largest increase in occupancy rate (8.8 percentage points) was registered in other collective establishments, which stood at 43.9 per cent.

Total arrivals in Malta amounted to 121,261 – 6.5 per cent more than in 2011. Total nights stood at 665,879 with an average length of stay of 5.5 nights. Upward shifts were noted in both arrivals and nights in all hotel categories and in other collective accommodation establishments. The occupancy rate was calculated at 58.0 per cent – 2.4 per cent higher than the previous year.

For the month under review, total arrivals and nights in Gozo and Comino numbered 7,372 and 24,952 respectively. The average length of stay edged up by 0.3 of a night and was calculated at 3.4 nights. The net use of bed-places in Gozo and Comino was estimated at 47.3 per cent. The 3-star hotel category recorded a drop of 1 percentage point and stood at 53.0 per cent.

On a national level, there were 153 establishments operating during the month, 89.5 per cent of which were in Malta. On average, each establishment had 2.1 beds per room. In Malta, the number of bedrooms was calculated at 17,230 – up by a hundred rooms when compared to 2011. In Gozo and Comino the net number of bed-places stood at 1,703, or 4.4 per cent of the total bed-places.