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Maltese Outbound Tourism Surges 5.1% in Q3 2026
Maltese Outbound Tourism Surges 5.1% in Q3 2026
Malta recorded a 5.1% rise in outbound tourist trips during the third quarter of 2026, totaling 284,486 departures according to National Statistics Office figures. Italy remained the primary destination, while travel to non-EU countries saw significant growth.
Maltese residents increased their international travel by 5.1% in the third quarter of 2026, recording 284,486 outbound tourist trips according to National Statistics Office (NSO) figures.
The data highlights a continued upward trend in international departures, with Italy remaining the most popular destination and non-EU travel seeing significant growth.
According to the latest figures published by the National Statistics Office (NSO), a total of 284,486 outbound tourist trips were recorded between July and September 2026. The number of nights spent abroad also increased, reaching 2.12 million, up by 1.3% over the corresponding period in 2025.
Italy remained the most popular destination for Maltese travellers, accounting for 38.9% of all outbound trips. Travel to European Union countries increased by 3.1%, while trips to non-EU destinations rose by a considerably higher 11.5%.
Most trips were made for holiday purposes, with 200,558 departures recorded for leisure. A further 53,021 trips were undertaken to visit friends and relatives. The largest group of outbound travellers was aged between 25 and 44, accounting for 44.4% of all trips, followed by those aged between 45 and 64, at 31.2%.
Maltese residents spent an average of 7.5 nights abroad during the quarter. Rented accommodation accounted for 53.8% of all nights, indicating that hotels and other paid accommodation continued to account for the majority of overnight stays.
Total estimated expenditure by outbound tourists reached €303 million during the third quarter, equivalent to an average of €1,065 per capita and €143 per night.
The figures also show that the increase in outbound travel has continued throughout 2026. During the first nine months of the year, Maltese residents undertook 704,426 tourist trips abroad, an increase of 6.6% compared to the same period in 2025. The total number of nights spent abroad also increased by 6.6%, surpassing 5.2 million.
Total estimated expenditure during the first nine months reached €691.4 million, an increase of just 1.4% over 2025. Average expenditure per capita declined by 4.8% to €982.
The figures follow a record year for outbound tourism in 2025, when 929,645 trips were recorded, with residents spending a total of 6.9 million nights abroad. Total expenditure for the year reached €952 million.
L.Girard--SMC
