Poles Leading in Tourism Rankings of Two Mediterranean Islands
In January 2026, over 44,100 tourists from Poland visited Malta, marking a 43.2% increase compared to the previous year, making them the top visitors among European nations.
In January 2026, the Malta Tourism Authority reported that over 44,100 Polish tourists visited Malta, which represents a significant 43.2% increase from January 2025. This surge in Polish visitors secured Poland's position as the leading country in Europe for tourists traveling to Malta. This is not the first time Poles have topped this list; they were also the largest group in January 2025, followed by visitors from the UK and Italy. The growing interest among Polish tourists in Malta demonstrates a trend that has been steadily increasing over the years. Poland has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing source markets for Maltese tourism. The increase in arrivals is particularly noticeable during the autumn-winter months and extended weekends, indicating a shift in travel preferences among Polish people. In the previous year, a total of 386,600 Polish tourists visited Malta, which is a remarkable 46% rise compared to the year before, landing them third overall after British and Italian visitors. Polish tourists accounted for nearly 10% of all international tourists in Malta, which highlights their importance to the Maltese tourism sector. Optimistic predictions for 2026 suggest that the trend of increasing Polish tourism to Malta is likely to continue. The positive outlook reflects both the appeal of Malta as a destination and the growing relationship between Poland and Malta in terms of travel and tourism. Such growth not only benefits the local economy in Malta but also strengthens cultural ties between the nations as more Polish visitors explore the Mediterranean region.