MaltaMedia.com

Arrivals in collective accommodation establishments reached 76,445 in February, up by 5.4 per cent over last year, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). Total nights increased by 4.1 per cent to 411,522.

NSO said that February saw a mixed performance across the various hotel categories, as well as among hotels within the same category. Overall, 5-star hotels registered a decline in arrivals and nights. In 4-star hotels there was an increase in arrivals, but a decrease in nights.

Arrivals and nights in 3-star hotels advanced by 19 and 24 per cent respectively. In contrast, significant percentage drops were recorded in 2-star hotels.

Overall, the average length of stay stood at 5.4 nights, practically unchanged compared to February 2012. The net use of bed places during the reference month stood at 41.9 per cent - an increase of 2.4 percentage points when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Arrivals in Malta amounted to 72,065 – 5.8 per cent more than in 2012. Total nights stood at 401,166, while the average length of stay reached 5.6 nights. During February, the occupancy rate increased by 2.5 percentage points when compared to last year, to 42.5 per cent.

Arrivals and nights spent in Gozo and Comino numbered 4,380 and 10,357 respectively. Both figures registered drops when compared to the previous year.

On a national level, there were 130 collective accommodation establishments operating during February, with a net capacity of 15,995 bedrooms and 35,236 bed places. On average, each establishment had 2.2 beds per room.