Cruise passenger numbers in Malta drop 7% in third quarter of 2026

Malta recorded 325,681 cruise passengers during the third quarter of 2026, a decrease of 7 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The NSO report shows that cruise liners made 139 calls at Maltese ports between July and September, one fewer than in the same quarter of 2025.

Transit passengers accounted for 268,114, or 82.3 per cent of total cruise passenger traffic. Each vessel carried an average of 2,343 passengers, 159 fewer than a year earlier.

Passengers from European Union member states represented 56.2 per cent of total traffic. Italy was the largest EU market, accounting for 18.3 per cent of passengers, followed by Spain at 12.7 per cent.

Among non-EU markets, the United Kingdom accounted for 20.8 per cent of total passengers, while the United States represented 10.6 per cent. Passengers from non-EU countries totalled 142,541.

Women accounted for 51.8 per cent of cruise passengers during the quarter. The largest age group was passengers aged between 40 and 59, representing 33 per cent of the total, followed by those aged between 60 and 79, at 29.8 per cent.

Cruise passenger traffic down 6.4 per cent in first nine months

Between January and September 2026, Malta recorded 647,237 cruise passengers, a decrease of 6.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

Cruise liner calls totalled 298, up from 294 a year earlier. However, the average number of passengers per vessel declined to 2,172, compared with 2,351 in the first three quarters of 2025.

Passengers from EU member states accounted for 50.2 per cent of total traffic during the nine-month period.

Women represented 53.2 per cent of passengers, or 344,589. Passengers aged between 60 and 79 formed the largest age group, totalling 231,022, or 35.7 per cent. Those aged between 40 and 59 accounted for a further 194,679 passengers, equivalent to 30.1 per cent.

The number of passengers embarking on cruise liners in Malta reached 55,307 during the third quarter, compared with 55,147 in the same period of 2025. For the January-to-September period, embarkations stood at 103,336, down from 104,582 a year earlier.

Budget 2027 introduces new contribution for cruise passengers

Malta’s Budget 2027 introduces a €10 environmental contribution for cruise passengers who disembark in Malta and subsequently reboard the same vessel. The measure is scheduled to take effect on 1st January 2027.

Passengers whose cruise begins in Malta will be exempt from this contribution.

The budget also increases the eco-contribution on tourist accommodation. The rate will rise to €8 per person per night for hotels and other collective accommodation, capped at €64 per person per stay. Guests staying in short-let accommodation will pay €10 per person per night, capped at €80 per stay. The charges apply to guests aged 18 and over.

In addition, tourists visiting Comino will be charged a €5 environmental contribution, collected through the existing visitor-booking system for the Blue Lagoon.

The budget also provides for a €3 increase per crossing for non-residents using fast-ferry services. Gozo Channel fares for non-residents will rise to €11 for adults, €7 for children and €22 for a vehicle including its driver.

The Government estimates that the revised accommodation eco-contribution will generate approximately €182 million annually.