---
title: "Tourist Arrivals Increase by 18% in First Five Months, May Sees Significant Rise"
date: 2026-07-16T04:56:50.948+00:00
updated: 2026-07-16T11:01:33.641+00:00
topics: ["Economy", "National", "Business"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-16/tourist-arrivals-increase-18-first-five-months-may-sees-significant-rise
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Tourist Arrivals Increase by 18% in First Five Months, May Sees Significant Rise

## In brief

- Tourist arrivals in Malta increased by nearly 18% during the first five months of the year.
- In May alone, Malta welcomed 76,000 more tourists compared to May 2025.
- These figures were released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Malta has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals during the first five months of the year, with numbers rising by nearly 18%. The National Statistics Office (NSO) released these figures, highlighting a positive trend for the local tourism sector.

Specifically, May recorded a notable surge, with 76,000 more tourists visiting Malta compared to the same month in 2025. This growth underscores the island's continued appeal as a travel destination.

New figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) indicate that tourist expenditure in Malta reached approximately €420 million in May. This update follows earlier reports on overall tourist arrivals.

During May, the number of tourists visiting Malta also saw a significant increase of 22.3% compared to the previous year. These statistics highlight the continued growth in Malta's tourism sector.

Malta welcomed an estimated 457,636 tourists in May, a figure that represents the second-highest monthly total on record. This significant influx of visitors has intensified ongoing discussions and concerns about overtourism in Malta.

Newsbook reported these figures, highlighting the intensity of the issue.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Newsbook reported the specific tourist figures for May and linked them to concerns about overtourism.

## Updates

- **2026-07-16:** Malta welcomed an estimated 457,636 tourists in May, marking the second-highest monthly figure on record and raising concerns about overtourism.

## Sources (5)

- [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/22-3-increase-in-tourists-in-may-with-expenditure-reaching-almost-e420-million/ "22.3% increase in tourists in May – with expenditure reaching almost €420 million")
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/143184/maltabound_tourists_in_may_up_by_76000_when_compared_to_may_2025)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/over-450000-tourists-visit-malta-in-may-alone/)
- [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/in-nefqa-tat-turisti-fmalta-tilhaq-madwar-e420-miljun-fmejju-ta-din-is-sena/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-07-15/local-news/Number-of-tourists-up-by-nearly-18-in-first-five-months-NSO-6736291366)

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- [Mixed Reports on Tourist Spending as Arrivals Increase](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-03/mixed-reports-tourist-spending-arrivals-increase) (2026-07-03)

---

Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-16/tourist-arrivals-increase-18-first-five-months-may-sees-significant-rise