2007 Critical For Malta Holidays Future

Tourist numbers have been in decline on theset of figures where tourism has risen, and for
Mediterranean island of Malta, but the hope is thatthe Malta Tourist Authority to claim part or all of
2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel andthe credit. In reality if tourist figures do rise it's
holidays industry.despite the Tourist Authority, and not because of
The Malta hotels and holiday industry are majorit'.
players in the island's economy, and withFlights To Malta
unemployment already high, a further drop in theSpeaking on a visit to Malta recently, Ryanair's
number of visitors next year could have aChief Executive Michael O'Leary declared himself
negative impact not just in tourism but for Maltapleased with their new Luton route, and predicted
as a whole.that their Dublin route, due to start operating in
Throughout the year the monthly statistics forFebruary, would be even more successful. He
the number of tourists visiting Malta have madebelieves that Ryanair could take some 85,000
depressing reading for the Malta hotels, and thevisitors to the island in 2007.
next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether'If Ryanair do deliver 85,000 visitors to Malta in
the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday2007 it will stop the perpetual decline in overall
destinations, or be relegated to niche travel status.tourist numbers,' say YourMalta, 'It depends of
The island was rife with rumours earlier in thecourse on whether a large number will be new
year that a UK tour operator was going tovisitors or simply those who would have visited
withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures,Malta anyway. We believe the likelihood is that a
and a survey in the island's biggest marketgood deal of the 85,000 will be new visitors who
showed that Malta would be more expensive forhadn't considered a Malta holiday before. With Air
British tourists than the Canary and BalearicMalta fighting back and having successful
Islands for equivalent holidays next year.promotions too there is every reason to feel
But more recent news has brought hope to theconfident that 2007 will prove to be a good year
Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrestfor Malta tourism. Hopefully it will prove to be a
in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year,turning point and not a delay in the downward
with MyTravel surprising the Malta holidays marketspiral of the last few years'.
by announcing an increase in the number ofThe real estate industry in Malta also produces a
winter visitors it will be taking from the UK togood deal of inward investment for the Malta
Malta.economy, and increased visitor numbers often
But the most positive news has come from lowcorrelate to an increase in Malta property prices.
cost carrier RyanAir, who have started flights toAccording to Tribune Properties, a UK based
Malta from London and Dublin.company who specialise in Malta property for sale,
Between announcing the Dublin and London routesproperty inflation could be in double digits next
and the maiden flight to Malta, Ryanair sold 30,000year.
tickets. And the new competition has spurred Air'Malta property buyers from overseas start as
Malta, the island's national airline, to make offerstourists, and with new tourists arriving next year
of its own. A successful campaign saw twoin increased numbers we do expect this to have
tickets a minute being sold recently.some impact on the market overall. The Malta
'This is all good news,' say Malta hotels andweather is always a plus point when potential
holidays guide 'Earlier in the year it looked likebuyers are considering where to buy a holiday
there was only one way that the visitor figureshome. But ease of access is a critical factor, and
for Malta were going for the future, and that waswith 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 realthe traditional week and fortnight holiday a realistic
doubts cast upon whether the Malta Governmentpossibility for more people.'
would approve the new low cost flights at all. AirTravel guide YourMalta do offer a cautionary
Malta is a major employer and some in the touristnote, urging the Malta authorities to invest in
sector felt that too much of a protectionistbetter 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 YourMalta, 'The Maltaonce - never to look at a holiday brochure and a
Tourist Authority and The Malta governmentmap of Malta with good memories and return.
seem to to make life as difficult as possible forThe Malta hotels are on a par with the rest of
the island's hotel owners and those involved in theEurope, but if they step outside to dangerous
holiday industry. A privately run company likepavements, unclean beaches and a timeshare tout
Ryanair will achieve more and bring more moneyaround every corner ready with a high pressure
on to the island than the Tourist Authority cansales pitch they won't return. Hopefully the Malta
ever dream of. And Ryanair will probably make aTourist Authority will be doing as much as they
profit out of it while the Tourist Authority is usingcan ensure a pleasant Malta holiday experience'.
taxpayers money. We're just waiting for the first