Tourism

Tourism contributes significantly to Malta’s economic growth, employment creation and foreign exchange earnings. During recent years, the local tourism industry has been significantly affected by the adverse geopolitical situation that characterised the international environment, as well as the economic situation in a number of major tourist markets. The Maltese tourism industry is also facing increased international competition, both from traditional as well as from new emerging tourist destinations.

Largely as a result of international developments, the tourism sector in Malta has declined. of 1.18 million passengers in 2001 to 1.12 million passengers in 2003. An improvement was recorded in 2004 from the decline registered in previous years. In 2005, tourist departures increased by 24,108 or 2.1 per cent, as compared to an increase of 3.5 per cent recorded in the previous year. During January 2006, tourist departures declined to around 50 thousand tourists as compared to 52 thousand registered during January 2005. The domestic tourism industry continues to face competitive challenges. The new Cruise Liner Terminal, which should open in the very near future, will continue to bolster Malta as an important cruise liner destination in the Mediterranean.  

Malta’s main tourism source markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy and hence it depends on a restricted market. This highlights the need to further invest in the development of niche tourism markets, such as cultural heritage, rural tourism, sports tourism and language tourism, whilst maintaining the holiday market.  
Investment is required to improve Malta’s tourism product both in terms of human resource development and in the marketing of the islands. This would not only help to tap new market segments and achieve market diversification but also to achieve a better seasonal distribution.

Malta Tourism Authority

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