According to data released by the National Statistics Office, compared to 2015, tourist arrivals in Malta during the traditionally weakest winter months have surged by 222 per cent, representing an increase of nearly 556,000 visits.

Additionally, Malta welcomed 806,563 inbound tourists between January and March 2026, an increase of 16.3 per cent over the same period last year.

Tourism expenditure reached €585 million in Q1 2026, up by more than €76 million year-on-year and more than €392 million compared to 2015, reinforcing the sector’s continued contribution to economic growth.

In a statement issued following the publication of the data, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef said the figures confirm that Malta’s strategy to grow tourism beyond the summer peak is yielding results.

He noted that Malta and Gozo are increasingly positioning themselves as year-round destinations, supporting more stable occupancy levels and improved operational efficiency across the industry.

The Authority also pointed to encouraging forward-looking indicators, with the coming months expected to maintain positive momentum.

Growth driven by diversified markets

The increase in arrivals was supported by strong growth across several key markets, particularly Poland, the United Kingdom and Italy, alongside gains from long-haul markets such as the United States.

NSO data shows that non-EU markets expanded at a faster pace than EU markets, rising by 22.1 per cent year-on-year.

Older travellers, particularly those aged 45 and over, also played a significant role in driving off-peak demand, in line with seasonal travel patterns.

Evolving travel patterns impact spend dynamics

While overall expenditure increased, the average length of stay declined slightly to 5.5 nights, reflecting broader shifts in travel behaviour.

This contributed to a marginal 1.1 per cent drop in per capita spending. However, expenditure per night rose by 2.7 per cent to €131, indicating improved yield per tourist night.

Total guest nights increased by 11.9 per cent to over 4.45 million, underlining the scale of tourism activity in the first quarter.

Structural shifts continue across the sector

The data also points to ongoing structural changes in the tourism model.

Shorter stays are becoming more common, with trips of one to three nights registering the strongest growth. Non-package travel continued to outpace package holidays, while alternative accommodation segments expanded more rapidly than traditional collective lodging.

Outlook remains positive

For investors and industry stakeholders, the figures reinforce the resilience and adaptability of Malta’s tourism sector.

The MTA said that with demand remaining strong, the industry is well positioned to continue generating higher yields while maintaining momentum throughout the year.