MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office said that outbound tourism in February went up by 7.2 per cent when compared to the previous year, reaching an estimated 19,425 trips. Same-day visitors totalled 687.

The number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries was estimated at 16,744, while a further 2,680 trips headed towards non-EU destinations. Both markets registered increases of 6 and 18 per cent respectively. Italy and the UK remained the most popular destinations among residents of Malta and between them accounted for 62 per cent of the total tourism markets.

Male tourists carried out 60 per cent of outbound tourist trips during February; equivalent to an estimated 11,747 trips. Most outbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age bracket (7,460), and were followed by the 45-64 age group (6,467).

NSO added that out of 20,112 visitor trips, the number of same-day visitors was estimated at 687 - which is nearly half the number registered last year.

Outbound passengers in the first two months of 2012 stood at 38,797, at par with the estimate for 2011. An estimated 86 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations, with UK and Italy ranking as the most popular destinations. The number of trips to non-EU destinations went down by 3 per cent when compared to last year and stood at 5,426.

During this two-month period, male tourists outnumbered females, accounting for 60 per cent of the total. Trips were mostly carried out by tourists in the 25-44 age bracket (41 per cent) and were followed by tourists aged between 45 and 64.

Out of a total of 40,652 outbound visitors, the number of same-day visitors for the period was estimated at 1,855 (5 per cent).