MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said that Outbound trips during November totalled 23,108, an increase of 12.4 per cent over the comparative month in 2011.

The number of outbound tourist trips towards EU destinations was estimated at 19,789, while a further 3,319 trips headed towards destinations outside the EU. These markets advanced by 7 and 61 per cent respectively.

Italy and the UK continued to be the most popular destinations among residents of Malta, with market shares of 30 and 27 per cent respectively. When comparing to the corresponding month in 2011, the Italian market rose by 22 per cent, while the British market declined slightly (3 per cent).

The majority of outbound tourists were males (62 per cent). Furthermore, 46 per cent of outbound tourists fell in the 25-44 age bracket and were followed by those in the 45-64 age category (37 per cent).

Out of 27,157 outbound visitor trips, same-day visitors were estimated at 4,049 - an increase of 42 per cent when compared to 2011.

Outbound tourism throughout this eleven-month period stood at 296,109, up by 7 per cent when compared to the previous year. An estimated 86 per cent of outbound tourists chose to visit EU destinations. Italy and the UK remained the most popular destinations chosen by residents of Malta.

Trips to Italy increased by 6 per cent, while those to the UK dropped by 4 per cent, thus widening the gap between the top two destinations. In total, both EU and Non-EU trips registered increases, reaching 255,125 and 40,984 respectively. Most outbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age group (40 per cent), and were followed by the 45-64 age category (33 per cent). 58 per cent of these tourists were males.

Out of 331,677 outbound visitor trips, same-day visitors were estimated at 35,568.