India emerges as fastest-growing destination for Maltese residents

Outbound tourism is on the rise again, with a total of 270,635 trips recorded between July and September 2025 – up 7.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. But one destination stands out for its growth: India.

According to the latest data published by the National Statistics Office (NSO), trips to India more than doubled in the third quarter of 2025, rising by 104.8 per cent from 2,485 to 5,089 year-on-year. This increase far outpaces the overall growth of outbound tourism, and makes India the fastest-growing non-European destination for Maltese residents during the quarter.

The data also suggests that these trips are driven primarily by Indian nationals living and working in Malta, who often return home to visit family or send remittances. This trend is further reflected in the high spending figures.

Total expenditure by outbound tourists in India reached €11.5 million – up 142.5 per cent from the same period in 2024. That’s an average of more than €2,200 per trip, the highest per-capita spending among all destinations.

Nights spent by outbound tourists in India also grew sharply, rising by 85.3 per cent to 166,180 nights, which translates into a significantly longer average stay compared to other popular destinations.

Meanwhile, closer to home, Italy remained the most popular outbound destination, attracting 104,823 Maltese residents (38.7 per cent of total trips) and generating €80.8 million in spending. Nevertheless, the spike in trips to India highlights shifting dynamics in Malta’s tourism and labour patterns – particularly as the Indian community continues to grow across sectors such as care work, hospitality, and construction.

With outbound tourism spending reaching €304.3 million this quarter – a 19.2 per cent year-on-year increase – India’s rising share stands out as more than just a travel preference. It’s a direct reflection of remittances, community ties, and the widening global footprint of Malta’s workforce.