‘We are here for the booze and beauties’

They are oversexed, underdressed and in Malta in bigger numbers than ever before. Young, fun-loving Italians in designer bikinis or skimpy speedos seem to dominate popular tourist spots at the moment. National Statistics Office figures show that a record 21,467 Italians visited Malta in June, a whopping 28 per cent increase from the corresponding month in 2012. In June 2008, which was a record year for language school arrivals in Malta, just 11,624 Italians visited the island. Figures are not yet available for July and the NSO did not provide a breakdown of the ages of Italians visiting this year. However, the number of tourists aged up to 24 years from all markets in the first six months was up 7.2 per cent, and feedback from the industry suggests the island is now more popular than ever with youngsters from its northern neighbour. So why are they heading south to Malta? “Beautiful girls, beautiful weather and beautiful sea,” said Paolo De Carlo, 22. Soaking up the rays at St George’s Bay with two friends from Turin, Mr De Carlo said their 10-day package holiday at La Valette Resort in Paceville was very cheap. Indeed, NSO figures for January-June show that per capita spending by...