| A major UK holiday company is expanding its | | | | the introduction of the low cost airlines flying to |
| operations in Malta as a response to increased | | | | Malta will merely delay the long term decline of |
| demand. | | | | the island's tourist industry. Unless money is spent |
| The news from MyTravel comes after an | | | | on the infrastructure and improving the |
| agreement with Air Malta to increase flight | | | | environment for the tourists generally there is a |
| capacity to the island for its customers. The | | | | danger that a lot of visitors will be one-off. If |
| MyTravel Group, one of the best known and | | | | there's a lesson to be learned in Malta that the |
| popular UK holiday companies, includes Airtours | | | | government and her agencies have failed to grasp |
| and Direct Holidays. | | | | it is that sustainable tourism is built on repeat |
| The Malta Tourist Authority have greeted the | | | | visitors. At the moment a lot of visitors from the |
| news by saying that the holiday company are | | | | UK see Malta as a one-off trip'. |
| increasingly aware of Malta as a holiday destination | | | | As well as Ryanair, it was hoped that easyjet |
| and that visitor numbers would be increasing in | | | | would also start services to Malta, but the latest |
| 2007. | | | | reports are that talks have failed to produce an |
| A Malta destination guide were as surprised as | | | | agreement. Brighter news has come from the |
| anyone that MyTravel were increasing capacity | | | | island's flag carrier, Air Malta though. |
| for Malta. | | | | As well as at one stage selling two tickets a |
| '2006 has not been a good year for the Malta | | | | minute in a recent promotion the airline is starting |
| tourist industry', they say. 'Overall figures could | | | | a new service from Liverpool next year. |
| show a drop of around 100,000 visitors in 2006 | | | | The property market will also be keeping a close |
| compared to 2005. There hasn't been much | | | | eye on tourist numbers now that the new flights |
| optimism lately that 2007 will be a lot better for | | | | have been given the green light. If visitor numbers |
| the island, but there are new low cost flights | | | | do drop in the medium term it could be good |
| which could help stabilise the number of | | | | news for locals looking to buy their first property. |
| holidaymakers next year, and with Air Malta doing | | | | There has been some discontent on the island |
| good promotions and starting a new route from | | | | about the rising prices of property in Malta, and |
| Liverpool perhaps next year will see a long | | | | with less overseas buyers the possibility of prices |
| awaited turnaround in the island's fortunes. | | | | falling and more islanders being able to get on the |
| MyTravel are a good well respected company and | | | | property ladder could be welcome news, as |
| if they think Malta is going to be in demand | | | | today's tourist is often tomorrow's property |
| perhaps there is real hope'. | | | | buyer. |
| Good news for Malta also came from a report by | | | | But now that low cost airlines are going to start |
| US travel writer Laura McKenzie, who ranked | | | | offering flights to Malta, this could help the Malta |
| Malta as one of the top five destinations in the | | | | hotels and holiday market as more people |
| world for tourists in the world. | | | | consider three and four day breaks instead of the |
| Hotel and resort owners had watched the Maltese | | | | traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall |
| government earlier this year drag the negotiations | | | | number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the |
| out with the low cost airlines for some time, with | | | | low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to |
| delays in agreements losing Malta the potential of | | | | levels seen for the Spanish islands. |
| having extra tourists for this past summer | | | | Malta has traditionally seen the majority of her |
| season. And with a report showing that Malta | | | | visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to |
| could be an expensive location for 2007 holidays | | | | a more diverse mix in future years. |
| compared to the Spanish islands, the news from | | | | Last year saw a record number of visitors from |
| MyTravel is helping to instil a sense of optimism | | | | Italy, and increased enquiries have been received |
| for the 2007 season. | | | | at estate agents across the island from |
| Malta Holidays | | | | Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, helping to |
| 'There is a possibility', comment the guide, 'That | | | | increase the demand for Malta properties. |