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With visitor numbers static in recent years and facing new
competiton from former Eastern Bloc countries offering cheap
holidays, the recent announcement by the Maltese government that
negotiations were at an advanced stage with two low cost
airlines has sparked hopes that the island will see a rise in
visitor numbers - much to the relief of some in the travel
industry worried about the future of Malta as a holiday
destination.
Even before the new carriers to the island land the existing
airlines have been offering return flights at prices seemingly
much lower than in the past to try and hold on to their share of
the market.
According to on-line travel guide YourMalta.com the airline
negotiations have been tempered with the need for the island's
government to see that the national carrier, Air Malta, isn't
damaged as it is one of Malta's major employers.
Traditionally the UK has been Malta's biggest market for
incoming tourists, often making up over half of the island's
visitors in any given year, but some on the island see even this
market as under threat. And property buyers from the UK have
accounted for seventy per cent of Malta property sales to
overseas buyers in recent years.
A good portion of UK visitors and property buyers for Malta in
recent years have been ex-forces who served for the British
during WW2 when Malta held out against Hitler's Luftwaffe, and
then in peacetime through to 1964 when Malta became independent,
who returned for holidays.
But with the inevitability of this market declining a new breed
of Malta's holiday and hotel entrepreneurs see Malta's future as
less dependent on the UK tourist, and being more cosmopolitan in
her outlook.
Declining Market and New Opportunities
Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in Malta
properties, say they have noticed more buyers making enquiries
from other countries over the last year. In particular they say
they have been receiving enquiries from France, Italy and
Germany.
'The UK remains the foundation for overseas property buyers
considering buying property in Malta, but the overall percentage
is reducing as more and more people in mainland Europe have
visited Malta, and liked it so much they want to either move to
the island full time or buy a holiday home.
The arrival of low cost flights to Malta though could reignite
British interest as three and four day breaks a few times a year
becomes financially viable. If the airlines fly to destinations
in Europe too the number of buyers for Malta property could rise
in the immediate and medium term' explains Tribune's Managing
Director, Roger Munns.
For Malta's tourist industry three and four day visitors in
increased numbers will be a welcome boost. There is discussion
on the island about extending club's opening hours beyond the
current 4am.
Clubbers in the UK are used to 6am closing, and might be
deterred from making a weekend trip with a three hour flight
only to find shorter hours available for partying.
'There are new opportunities for Malta, and it's for the island
to decide whether to embrace them and gain a new generation of
visitors - or ignore them and lose an asset for the economy'
agree YourMalta.com
'Malta has a lot to offer the visitor apart from being a
Mediterranean holiday island. Malta has a rich culture and
history, and can easily appeal to all generations from toddlers
to pensioners. More Italians and other nationalities are
discovering Malta as a destination. Malta will become more
cosmopolitan. And while some of the older more conservative
residents are likely to be against a younger and more diverse
mix of visitors from what they have been used to and see change
as something to be afraid of, we believe the island will embrace
the more cosmopolitan feel, while retaining the features that
make Malta a unique visit among her Mediterranean island
competitors.'
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