openPR Logo
Press release

Malta At 2007 Crossroads For Hotels And Holidays

11-30-2006 11:34 AM CET | Tourism, Cars, Traffic

Press release from: YourMalta.com

A view of Monaco from Jardin Exotique

A view of Monaco from Jardin Exotique

With tourism consistently in decline, the Mediterranean island of Malta is hoping that 2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel and holidays industry.

The Malta hotels and holiday industry are major players in the island's economy, and with unemployment already high, a further drop in the number of visitors next year could have a negative impact not just in tourism but for Malta as a whole.

Throughout the year the monthly statistics for the number of tourists visiting Malta have made depressing reading for the hotels in Malta, and the next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday destinations, or be relegated to niche travel status.

The island was rife with rumours earlier in the year that a UK tour operator was going to withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures, and a survey in the island's biggest market showed that Malta would be more expensive for British tourists than the Canary and Balearic Islands for equivalent holidays next year.

But more recent news has brought hope to the Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrest in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year, with MyTravel surprising the Malta holidays market by announcing an increase in the number of winter visitors it will be taking from the UK to Malta.

But the most positive news has come from low cost carrier RyanAir, who have started flights to Malta from London and Dublin.

Between announcing the Dublin and London routes and the maiden flight to Malta, Ryanair sold 30,000 tickets. And the new competition has spurred Air Malta, the island's national airline, to make offers of its own. A successful campaign saw two tickets a minute being sold recently.

'This is all good news,' say Malta hotels and holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com, 'Earlier in the year it looked like there was only one way that the visitor figures for Malta were going for the future, and that was in a continuing downward spiral.'

At one stage earlier in the year there were real doubts cast upon whether the Malta Government would approve the new low cost flights at all. Air Malta is a major employer and some in the tourist sector felt that too much of a protectionist attitude was being taken at the expense of a possible upswing in new visitors.

'Unfortunately,' continue YourMalta, 'The Malta Tourist Authority and The Malta government seem to to make life as difficult as possible for the island's hotel owners and those involved in the holiday industry. A privately run company like Ryanair will achieve more and bring more money on to the island than the Tourist Authority can ever dream of. And Ryanair will probably make a profit out of it while the Tourist Authority is using taxpayers money. We're just waiting for the first set of figures where tourism has risen, and for the Malta Tourist Authority to claim part or all of the credit. In reality if tourist figures do rise it's despite the Tourist Authority, and not because of it'.

Travel To Malta

Speaking on a visit to Malta recently, Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary declared himself pleased with their new Luton route, and predicted that their Dublin route, due to start operating in February, would be even more successful. He believes that Ryanair could take some 85,000 visitors to the island in 2007.

'If Ryanair do deliver 85,000 visitors to Malta in 2007 it will stop the perpetual decline in overall tourist numbers,' say YourMalta, 'It depends of course on whether a large number will be new visitors or simply those who would have visited Malta anyway. We believe the likelihood is that a good deal of the 85,000 will be new visitors who hadn't considered a Malta holiday before. With Air Malta fighting back and having successful promotions too there is every reason to feel confident that 2007 will prove to be a good year for Malta tourism. Hopefully it will prove to be a turning point and not a delay in the downward spiral of the last few years'.

The real estate industry in Malta also produces a good deal of inward investment for the Malta economy, and increased visitor numbers often correlate to an increase in Malta property prices.

According to Tribune Properties, a UK based company who specialise in Malta property for sale, property inflation could be in double digits next year.

'Malta property buyers from overseas start as tourists, and with new tourists arriving next year in increased numbers we do expect this to have some impact on the market overall. The Malta weather is always a plus point when potential buyers are considering where to buy a holiday home. But ease of access is a critical factor, and with the new flights at reduced prices it makes spending a few long weekends on Malta as well as the traditional week and fortnight holiday a realistic possibility for more people.'

Travel guide YourMalta do offer a cautionary note, urging the Malta authorities to invest in better roads and other infrastructure.

'It's important that holidaymakers want to return to the island in future years, and not just visit once - never to look at a holiday brochure and a map of Malta with good memories and return. The Malta hotels are on a par with the rest of Europe, but if they step outside to dangerous pavements, unclean beaches and a timeshare tout around every corner ready with a high pressure sales pitch they won't return. Hopefully the Malta Tourist Authority will be doing as much as they can ensure a pleasant Malta holiday experience'.

For hotels in Malta visit http://www.yourmalta.com/hotels , for the island's weather http://www.yourmalta.com/weather

YourMalta.com Welbeck House High Street
Guildford Surrey GU1 3JF England

44 1983 291 070

welbeck36@hotmail.com

YourMalta.com is a travel guide for the Mediterranean island of Malta.

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release Malta At 2007 Crossroads For Hotels And Holidays here

News-ID: 13269 • Views:

More Releases from YourMalta.com

Malta Air Show Goes Ahead Despite Concerns
Malta Air Show Goes Ahead Despite Concerns
The 2007 Malta Air Show is expected to be the best yet, with display teams from across Europe, the US and possibly Canada participating. The air show traditionally comes late in the Malta holidays season, and is a welcome late boost for the island\'s tourist industry with aviation enthusiasts descending for the weekend. Despite some complaints from residents about noise and safety levels, the air show does produce publicity and income for
Missing Christmas Flight Mystery For Malta
Missing Christmas Flight Mystery For Malta
A flight from London to Malta that didn\'t depart on December 26 has set alarm bells ringing on the holiday island of Malta. The flight operator, well known and popular airline Ryanair, claims no flight was scheduled, while one newspaper said they had a photograph showing a departure board with \'cancelled\' next to the flight number. The Malta tourist industry pushed for low cost airlines to be allowed to operate to the
Malta Cruises To New Tourist Record
Malta Cruises To New Tourist Record
Good news for the holiday island of Malta has come in droves recently, following a period of decline in visitor numbers. Commenting upon the findings, local travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that while the spending per passenger while in Malta is small compared to holidaymakers, it\'s an important contribution to the island\'s economy. \'The spend is estimated at around US $10,000,000. And while this represents an average of around $40 a passenger, and
Second Leading International Estate Agent Predicts Malta Property Price Rise
Second Leading International Estate Agent Predicts Malta Property Price Rise
A second leading international estate agency has backed predictions made by Malta property specialists Tribune properties that Malta could see steep price rises in the year ahead. Revealing their thoughts about European property for 2007, Knight Frank have placed Malta among a list of 7 European countries anticipated to see property inflation of ten per cent and more. While Malta could see a rise of 12.5 per cent, other countries on the

All 5 Releases


More Releases for Malta

Malta Index is Rebranding
Malta Index, a local business directory for the Maltese Islands, today announces its rebranding. Launched in 2006, Malta Index is one of the first online business directories for the Maltese Islands that always attracted a niche audience. The objective of the rebrand is for Malta Index to keep up with the latest trends in the online world and to become relevant to a wider audience. As part of the rebranding, Malta
Malta in March
Although the beautiful weather happens year-round in Malta, each month of the year reserves special surprises and events to be experienced differently. March in Malta is a special month to be in the Maltese Islands and immerse yourself in the island’s cultural and historical heritage, mainly associated with its long-standing religious traditions and pre-historic ties – it is the month of rebirth brought along by spring and resurrection as everyone
Effective Web Design Solutions in Malta
Internet and online business presence both have become the new marketing strategy for the overall business success. Besides, most of the people are on the internet these days hence an organization without an online presence is almost invisible to its prospective customers. The first step towards the online presence for your business is a website. A website serves as one of the most vital aspects that allow you to spread
Learn English in Malta
Learn English in Malta with its warm Mediterranean climate, clear blue sea, sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife as well as over 6000 years of history and culture; including 160 years of British Rule which have had a lasting effect on the country and its language. English is one of Malta's official languages (along with Maltese) so it can be heard all over the island making it easy to learn English in
Knights of Malta Restored
The Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem were formed long time before their reign on Malta. The Order was originally established in 1085 as a community of monks responsible for looking after the sick at the Hospital of St John in Jerusalem. They later became a military order, defending crusader territory in the Holy Lands and safeguarding the perilous routes taken by medieval pilgrims. The Knights were
Malta Cruises To New Tourist Record
Good news for the holiday island of Malta has come in droves recently, following a period of decline in visitor numbers. Commenting upon the findings, local travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that while the spending per passenger while in Malta is small compared to holidaymakers, it\'s an important contribution to the island\'s economy. \'The spend is estimated at around US $10,000,000. And while this represents an average of around $40 a passenger, and