Hotel occupancy in Malta increased by 12.6% across hotels during the second quarter of 2010 compared with the same period last year, according to a survey by the Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association.

The survey revealed that hotel profits up to June this year fell by 45% compared with 2008.

Guest nights for the second quarter of 2010 also increased, with three and five-star hotels posting the best improvements in occupancy.

Average achieved room rates also improved in each of the three hotel categories for the quarter and on a year-to-date basis.

Hotel gross operating profits until June 2010 are 25% below the average levels of 2006-08, according to maltatoday.com.