Maltese Spend More Than Twice As Much As Tourists At Restaurants

Maltese residents are spending more than double what tourists spend when dining out, according to the first consumer-focused survey of Malta’s catering industry, presented at the Research and Economic Outlook conference organised by the Association of Catering Establishments (ACE).

The survey, conducted by Prof. Vincent Marmara, found that locals who dine out for pleasure or entertainment spend an average of €94.77 per month on meals, including food ordered via couriers. In contrast, tourists reported spending an average of €41.67 per visit.While 28.7% of Maltese respondents said they spend €100 or more monthly, just over half of tourists (55.6%) said they spend around €50 per visit, and 40.7% reported spending even less.

This significant difference highlights how residents play a larger role in sustaining the local dining economy than might be assumed, especially in a market where nearly 4,000 catering establishments serve a population of just over half a million.

While tourists remain an important part of the industry, the data suggests that locals are consistently investing more in their dining experiences, a trend with major implications for restaurant operators looking to balance appeal between residents and visitors alike.

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