Tourism thrives

Hard work and constant co-operation are the key to success

The National Statistics Office (NSO) today issued the official Tourism-related statistics pertaining to October 2007, as well as the consolidated January - October 2007 figures.  Following the increase of %17+ over the previous year, registered in September, October saw a staggering %20.2 increase in tourists to Malta over the same month in 2006.  The 139,932 inbound tourists registered last month, makes October 2007 the busiest October ever for the Maltese tourism Industry.  An increase of 16% in expenditure and an increase of %23.7 in bed nights were also registered, when comparing with the same month last year.  Moreover, with 1,109,504 tourists recorded for January - October 2007 (an increase of %10.3 over 2006), the first ten months of 2007 now register the highest number of tourists ever in the Maltese islands in any January to October period. To date, the highest number of tourists recorded for the January to October period was 1,088,908, in 1999 (20,596 less than Jan-Oct 2007).  1999 and 2000 were, statistically, the best years ever for the Maltese tourism industry.

In reaction to the official NSO Tourism figures for the month of October 2007, MTA Chairman Sam Mifsud stated:

"This level of growth (+ %20.2) is very encouraging, to say the least. It vindicates all the hard work carried out by the MTA, the Ministry and all the industry stakeholders over the past year, and also shows that many of the decisions taken with regards to our Marketing efforts are paying off and getting the desired results.  So far, 2007 has shown month-on-month increases over the same periods in the previous year, with October being undoubtedly the best month to date.  I trust that this growth will be sustained over the coming months, and state categorically that the Malta Tourism Authority will continue to do its utmost, in every respect, to ensure an even brighter future for the Maltese Tourism Industry.  These results are only coming about thanks to the hard work and dedication of the MTA staff, the unwavering backing of Government and the Ministry for Tourism and Culture as well as the full support of the Trade and most all industry stakeholders.  It is this spirit of continued co-operation and dedication shown by everyone in the Tourism Industry that has made and will continue to make a diference.  Nevertheless, there is still plenty of work to be done.  The international tourism sector is extremely volatile and requires constant monitoring and plenty of effort to deal with every new challenge, if one wants to remain relevant and competitive.  We still have a relatively long road ahead, but with the continued support of all concerned, plenty of hard work and constant co-operation, I am convinced… We will get there!"