| The Mediterranean island of Malta is hoping that | | | | taxpayers money. We're just waiting for the first |
| 2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel and | | | | set of figures where tourism has risen, and for |
| holidays industry following years of declining visitor | | | | the Malta Tourist Authority to claim part or all of |
| numbers. | | | | the credit. In reality if tourist figures do rise it's |
| The Malta hotels and holiday industry are major | | | | despite the Tourist Authority, and not because of |
| players in the island's economy, and with | | | | it'. |
| unemployment already high, a further drop in the | | | | New Visitors |
| number of visitors next year could have a | | | | Speaking on a visit to Malta recently, Ryanair's |
| negative impact not just in tourism but for Malta | | | | Chief Executive Michael O'Leary declared himself |
| as a whole. | | | | pleased with their new Luton route, and predicted |
| Throughout the year the monthly statistics for | | | | that their Dublin route, due to start operating in |
| the number of tourists visiting Malta have made | | | | February, would be even more successful. He |
| depressing reading for the hotels in Malta, and the | | | | believes that Ryanair could take some 85,000 |
| next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether | | | | visitors to the island in 2007. |
| the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday | | | | 'If Ryanair do deliver 85,000 visitors to Malta in |
| destinations, or be relegated to niche travel status. | | | | 2007 it will stop the perpetual decline in overall |
| The island was rife with rumours earlier in the | | | | tourist numbers,' say the travel guide, 'It depends |
| year that a UK tour operator was going to | | | | of course on whether a large number will be new |
| withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures, | | | | visitors or simply those who would have visited |
| and a survey in the island's biggest market | | | | Malta anyway. We believe the likelihood is that a |
| showed that Malta would be more expensive for | | | | good deal of the 85,000 will be new visitors who |
| British tourists than the Canary and Balearic | | | | hadn't considered a Malta holiday before. With Air |
| Islands for equivalent holidays next year. | | | | Malta fighting back and having successful |
| But more recent news has brought hope to the | | | | promotions too there is every reason to feel |
| Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrest | | | | confident that 2007 will prove to be a good year |
| in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year, | | | | for Malta tourism. Hopefully it will prove to be a |
| with MyTravel surprising the Malta holidays market | | | | turning point and not a delay in the downward |
| by announcing an increase in the number of | | | | spiral of the last few years'. |
| winter visitors it will be taking from the UK to | | | | The real estate industry in Malta also produces a |
| Malta. | | | | good deal of inward investment for the Malta |
| But the most positive news has come from low | | | | economy, and increased visitor numbers often |
| cost carrier RyanAir, who have started flights to | | | | correlate to an increase in Malta property prices. |
| Malta from London and Dublin. | | | | According to a UK based company who specialise |
| Between announcing the Dublin and London routes | | | | in Malta property for sale, property inflation could |
| and the maiden flight to Malta, Ryanair sold 30,000 | | | | be in double digits next year. |
| tickets. And the new competition has spurred Air | | | | 'Malta property buyers from overseas start as |
| Malta, the island's national airline, to make offers | | | | tourists, and with new tourists arriving next year |
| of its own. A successful campaign saw two | | | | in increased numbers we do expect this to have |
| tickets a minute being sold in recent weeks. | | | | some impact on the market overall. The Malta |
| 'This is all good news,' say one Malta hotels and | | | | weather is always a plus point when potential |
| holidays guide, 'Earlier in the year it looked like | | | | buyers are considering where to buy a holiday |
| there was only one way that the visitor figures | | | | home. But ease of access is a critical factor, and |
| for Malta were going for the future, and that was | | | | with the new flights at reduced prices it makes |
| in a continuing downward spiral.' | | | | spending a few long weekends on Malta as well as |
| At one stage earlier in the year there were real | | | | the traditional week and fortnight holiday a realistic |
| doubts cast upon whether the Malta Government | | | | possibility for more people.' |
| would approve the new low cost flights at all. Air | | | | The travel guide do offer a cautionary note, |
| Malta is a major employer and some in the tourist | | | | urging the Malta authorities to invest in better |
| sector felt that too much of a protectionist | | | | roads and other infrastructure. |
| attitude was being taken at the expense of a | | | | 'It's important that holidaymakers want to return |
| possible upswing in new visitors. | | | | to the island in future years, and not just visit |
| 'Unfortunately,' continue the guide, 'The Malta | | | | once - never to look at a holiday brochure and a |
| Tourist Authority and The Malta government | | | | map of Malta with good memories and return. |
| seem to to make life as difficult as possible for | | | | The Malta hotels are on a par with the rest of |
| the island's hotel owners and those involved in the | | | | Europe, but if they step outside to dangerous |
| holiday industry. A privately run company like | | | | pavements, unclean beaches and a timeshare tout |
| Ryanair will achieve more and bring more money | | | | around every corner ready with a high pressure |
| on to the island than the Tourist Authority can | | | | sales pitch they won't return. Hopefully The Malta |
| ever dream of. And Ryanair will probably make a | | | | Tourist Authority will be doing as much as they |
| profit out of it while the Tourist Authority is using | | | | can ensure a pleasant Malta holiday experience'. |