Tourist arrivals in Malta exceeded 2.1 million in the first six months of 2026, while visitor nights topped 11.7 million, according to figures presented at an MHRA conference. Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela attended the conference, where the Q2 2026 Hotel Performance Survey was presented.
According to the Tourism Ministry, visitor nights rose by 10.1% compared with the same period of 2025. More than half of tourists stayed in hotels and guest houses. In the second quarter alone, arrivals increased by 19%, from around 1.11 million to 1.33 million, while visitor nights rose by 9%.
Abela said tourism success should be measured not only by arrivals but also by quality, economic value and benefits for communities hosting visitors. “We must continue to raise quality, protect safety and ensure that tourism’s success is also felt in our communities,” he said.
The minister emphasised that quality and quantity should go hand in hand, with safety and public order central to tourism policy. The ministry said the Government would continue supporting responsible accommodation operators while addressing illegal accommodation and serious breaches of regulations.
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