| Brighter news for the holiday island of Malta | | | | industry. Unless money is spent on the |
| has come in droves recently, following a | | | | infrastructure and improving the environment |
| period of decline in visitor numbers. | | | | for the tourists generally there is a danger |
| | | | that a lot of visitors will be one-off. If |
| Commenting upon the findings, a local travel | | | | there's a lesson to be learned in Malta that |
| guide says that while the spending per | | | | the government and her agencies have failed |
| passenger while in Malta is small compared to | | | | to grasp it is that sustainable tourism is |
| holidaymakers, it's an important contribution | | | | built on repeat visitors. At the moment a lot |
| to the island's economy. | | | | of visitors from the UK see Malta as a |
| | | | one-off trip'. |
| 'The spend is estimated at around US | | | | |
| $10,000,000. And while this represents an | | | | As well as Ryanair, it was hoped that easyjet |
| average of around $40 a passenger, and | | | | would also start services to Malta, but the |
| holidaymakers spend considerably more, an | | | | latest reports are that talks have failed to |
| important factor is that over 80 per cent of | | | | produce an agreement. Brighter news has come |
| passengers would consider stopping at Malta | | | | from the island's flag carrier, Air Malta |
| again, and potentially that's a good number | | | | though. |
| who would consider a land based holiday in | | | | |
| the future.' | | | | As well as at one stage selling two tickets a |
| | | | minute in a recent promotion the airline is |
| The good news for Malta doesn't stop at | | | | starting a new service from Liverpool next |
| increased numbers of cruise passengers, as | | | | year. |
| low cost airlines have recently started | | | | |
| flying to the island. | | | | The property market will also be keeping a |
| | | | close eye on tourist numbers now that the new |
| 'It's been a while since we've been able to | | | | flights have been given the green light. If |
| say this,' comment the guide, 'but there are | | | | visitor numbers do drop in the medium term it |
| exciting times ahead for the Malta holiday | | | | could be good news for locals looking to buy |
| industry. As well as the good news on | | | | their first property. |
| passenger numbers from cruise ships, low cost | | | | |
| airlines have started flying in passengers | | | | There has been some discontent on the island |
| and it should boost the number of new | | | | about the rising prices of property in Malta, |
| tourists quite significantly in 2007.' | | | | and with less overseas buyers the possibility |
| | | | of prices falling and more islanders being |
| The turnaround in the Malta tourist indusry's | | | | able to get on the property ladder could be |
| fortunes has come just in time according to | | | | welcome news, as today's tourist is often |
| some travel experts. | | | | tomorrow's property buyer. |
| | | | |
| Hotel and holiday numbers have been declining | | | | But now that low cost airlines are going to |
| consistently, and in late spring 2006 rumours | | | | start offering flights to Malta, this could |
| were circulating on the island that one of | | | | help the Malta hotels and holiday market as |
| the major UK travel companies were about to | | | | more people consider three and four day |
| withdraw Malta from their 2007 brochures, | | | | breaks instead of the traditional week or |
| with the worry that if others followed suit | | | | fortnight, boosting the overall number of |
| Malta would be relegated from mainstream to | | | | visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low |
| niche travel status. | | | | cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights |
| | | | to levels seen for the Spanish islands. |
| The pessimism of 2006 has been replaced by | | | | |
| optimism for 2007 as new low cost airlines | | | | Malta has traditionally seen the majority of |
| have already started delivering passengers to | | | | her visitors from the UK, but this could be |
| the island, with some estimates suggesting | | | | changing to a more diverse mix in future |
| that close to 100,000 visitors extra is on | | | | years. |
| the cards for the year ahead. | | | | |
| | | | Last year saw a record number of visitors |
| 2007 Fortunes | | | | from Italy, and increased enquiries have been |
| | | | received at estate agents across the island |
| 'There is a possibility', comment the travel | | | | from Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, |
| guide, 'That the introduction of the low cost | | | | helping to increase the demand for Malta |
| airlines flying to Malta will merely delay | | | | properties. |
| the long term decline of the island's tourist | | | | |