Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/366326
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 20 AUGUST 2014 News 5 Outbound tourism up 6% Total outbound visitor trips for the second quarter were estimated at 100,175, an increase of 6% when compared to the corresponding period last year. DURING the period between April and June of this year, there were 84,573 outbound tourist trips, an increase of 6.8% over the corre- sponding period in 2013, accord- ing to the National Statistics Office (NSO). The number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries stood at 72,597, an increase of 8.4% over the corresponding quarter last year. Italy and the United Kingdom re- mained the most popular destina- tions, with a share of 54% per cent of total tourist trips. Total nights spent by outbound tourists advanced by 12.5% to 673,650. In absolute terms, the ma- jority of guest nights were spent in private accommodation establish- ments. Total estimated outlay by resident tourists between January and June rose by 2.1% when com- pared to the corresponding period last year, and stood at €76.6 million, equivalent to €114 per night. Total outbound visitor trips for the first six months of the year numbered 181,573, an increase of 6.3% over 2013 levels. During this period, there were 161,907 out- bound tourist trips, an increase of 6.5% over the previous year. Total nights spent by outbound tourists went up by 11.3%, reaching 1,271,950. During this period, total estimated outlay by resident tour- ists stood at €147.9 million. This estimate is 3.1% higher than that re- corded for the same period in 2013. Government reaction Tourism Minister Edward Zam- mit Lewis was quick to express satisfaction at the level increase. "These figures are satisfying and encouraging," he said, adding that this was especially the case for busi- nesses and companies which oper- ate in the tourism industry. "The government remains committed in its work in this field and aims to exhaust all opportunities for a more sustainable and profitable sector. This, in turn, should translate in more jobs and economic growth." YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt 2,880 new graves proposed at Addolorata JAMES DEBONO THE government has presented a planning application for the construction of 2,880 new graves and adjacent charnel houses on a 28,220 square metre site known as Tal-Horr hill, on a parcel of land next to the Addolorata cem- etery. In a clear indication of the gov- ernment's policy in favour of cremation as an alternative to traditional burials, the proposal also includes space for the burial of ash urns and a new wall and entrance. The application involves barren land which does not involve any uprooting of trees or any demoli- tion of rubble walls. A 2,000 graves extension plan was announced before the last election. In November 2009, then Social Policy Minister John Dalli announced plans for 9,000 new graves through a €33 million ex- tension, paid for through the sale of the graves. The extension was to have been built on the same neo-gothic lines of the cemetery. The project, however, did not take off. In a parliamentary question in 2011 former Health Minister Joe Cassar announced that 2,989 new graves are planned to be dug at the Addolorata Cemetery. Their sale price was still to be deter- mined. The Malta Environment and Planning Authorit y is presently formulating a policy regulating the extensions of already existing policies. The new policy bans the development of new cemeteries. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Tal-Horr hill (inset), next to the Addolorata Cemetery – site for new graves