Tourism rumours
Holidays in Malta could be off the list of destinations offered by major tour operators from next summer, according to press reports quoted in Editors Choice:
..Malta has been struggling for some years to adapt to the modern traveller, but government figures released for March showed a year on year drop in tourists of nearly 10 per cent, and most worrying of all was that the number of tourists arriving from the UK, Malta's main market, fell by over 13 per cent, and visitors from Italy, a market the Tourist Office had been trying to cultivate also fell..
In addition to lower property prices, YourMalta feel that projections of a collapse in the island's holiday market if tour operators did withdraw could be exaggerated. 'While the loss of the tour operators bringing tourists to the island is significant, in time the island will be less reliant on their business as more and more people make independent travel plans through the internet, and book their flights and hotels in Malta independently of traditional holiday companies.
Malta tends to attract the older tourist, so it might take longer than somewhere like Ibiza for example which attracts a younger visitor who as a group are more internet friendly', states Managing Director Roger Munns, 'but in time when the internet is seen as the primary source of booking a holiday across the age range, Malta will stand as much chance as anywhere of attracting tourists.
There has been speculation for some time now that low cost airlines are going to start offering flights to Malta, and this will help the Malta hotels and holiday market as more people consider three and four day breaks instead of the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the Spanish islands. With an ineffective promotions board there is plenty of hope still for the holiday market in Malta, despite and not because of the Malta Tourist Authority, who are failing to promote Malta in the UK in any meaningful way.'
posted by Robert Micallef at 8/02/2007 10:40:00 PM
Robert, I've seen this elsewhere quite a while ago, only unfortunately I can't remember where or even when. Must be at least a year ago, if not more. The line, "There has been speculation for some time now that low cost airlines are going to start offering flights to Malta..." gives it away, though.
You know that I'm not one to sing and dance in happiness over the state of tourism in Malta, or the way it is handled locally. But that an old speculation about one of the largest tour operators withdrawing from Malta should be re-published now, has a silly taste of propaganda! (First Choice is still operating to Malta and Gozo, by the way!)
I hasten to add that obviously I'm not accusing you, but the source!
Interesting Article we are coming to the Island in August and when booking it was cheaper to take a package deal as flights to the Island were so expensive. It is easy to find great cheap accommodation but the cost of flights rules this option out.
See you all soon
Alison
sabine, that article does appear to be a rehash of an older piece even if it contains some interesting observations. tks for pointing it out
alison, have a great stay in malta. let me know how it goes
Direct flights from Canada where there is a large Maltese community would be nice.
We are returning to Xlendi this October for the beautiful scenery, the good food, and the best, the wonderfully-friendly people, but 12 air hours with having to make a connecting flight somewhere is a major drag.
m. bondy, Picton, Ontario
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