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British Tourists Most Organised

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

Malta

The percentage of people who book their holidays and trips away via the internet increases every year, and with ticketless flights, reviews of hotels from previous guests and currency delivered to your home, the impression might be that booking a trip a few days before departure is the norm.

Not for UK tourists, according to research undertaken by leading online travel site Expedia.

In fact, many British people still book their overseas trips months ahead – but then they are the most organised tourists in Europe!

Before the recession, the trend was to book different parts of a holiday with different online travel firms, ensuring each part of the trip was done at the best price – but with some small companies going under Expedia note that more people are booking both flights and hotels at the same time.

And it’s not just the recession that’s caused the shift back to booking with the same company, the recent Icelandic volcano left many travellers stranded while those who had booked with well established tour operators such as Thomson and Thomas Cook were well looked after and alternative ways home organised on their behalf.

And it’s in times like this that tourists realise that cheap isn’t always good – but a resource like Expedia does allow money to be saved while booking all or some parts of a trip with one company.

Take Malta for example. There are plenty of different options for booking holidays in Malta available, and different parts of the trip can be booked seperately – or all with someone like Expedia.

Hotels can be viewed and reviews from people who have stayed there be seen, and a little extra research can be done to see which area might be most suitable. Valletta for history, Mellieha for a good beach for example. Both areas have a wide choice of accommodation and any of the Malta hotels can be booked with the one resource.

Flights are slightly different for the island. In recent years the low cost carriers have started to fly in and out of Malta, and not all of them are represented on travel sites that do the other components of a trip. Search Expedia for example for return flights and it might not bring up Ryanair who were the first budget airline to fly to the island, and provide flights from both Luton and Bournemouth.

So for the cost conscious it might be worth checking their site to see how much their Malta flights are.

But overall booking everything with one company does have its benefits, with hotels, car hire, flights, holidays and travel insurance all possible, and for Malta holidays Expedia is able to offer all these at a good price.

More details about the island are at yourmalta.com and there are other free to use articles

Posted in holidays, malta, travel, vacations | No Comments »

A Trip To Malta – Review

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

The icnetwork in Wales recently wrote about a vist to the island:

THE British influence on Malta is noticeable in more than the fact that virtually everyone speaks English.

Hidden down a back street of the capital Valletta is a small pub called, simply enough, The Pub.

This is the place where hellraiser (and actor) Oliver Reed enjoyed his final drinking session before collapsing and dying of a heart attack in 1999. An extra line – Ollie’s last pub – has now been added to the sign outside and the venue is a favourite with tourists. It’s definitely worth a visit.

But don’t get the idea this tiny island is just about partying. There are so many places to see.

Malta is blessed, although in the past that could read “cursed”, with a berth in the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa. It has been fought over by many nations in its long history. The result is a fascinating land of architectural and cultural variety.

And because it’s so small and easily reachable from Wales, Malta is ideal for a short break. I stayed in the centre of the island, in the fabulous ancient walled city of Mdina – the former capital.

Mdina Malta

With the luxurious Xara Palace hotel as my base, I spent three days whizzing around some of the island’s varied attractions before heading back to the hotel for top quality food and hospitality. And the hotel’s location is perfect.

Perched on a hilltop it forms part of the wall around Mdina. The 17 individually-designed rooms boast dizzying views down and across the island or into Mdina itself.

Malta is a favourite destination for people from the UK looking for warm winters and hot summers, a largely gentle pace of life (if you don’t venture out on the chaotic roads on your own) and some spectacular beaches. Holidays in Malta during the winter are taken by quite a few people.

One of the island’s main attractions is its history. This tempting spot was colonised by the Phoenicians around 1,000BC. They were followed by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, French and finally the British, before Malta became independent in 1964.

All left their mark but the main existing developments date from around the time of the military religious order the Knights of Malta who spent more than a century guarding Christian Europe’s southern borders from invasion by the Ottoman Empire.

They, like me, were based in Mdina, the Silent City. Stepping through the towering walls feels like moving back several centuries in time. Few cars are allowed inside and it is home to a few hundred people who live among the peaceful, ancient alleyways.

No visit to Malta would be complete without visiting Mdina. Outside its walls the rest of the island has moved with the times.

After a visit to the pretty fishing village of Marsaxlokk, complete with brightly painted boats and busy market, it was on to the island’s current capital.

Valletta is home to the booming business sector and some sparkling nightlife. The glitzy clubs are concentrated in just a few streets where the beautiful people congregate. There is much talk of Malta becoming a party capital – the new Ibiza. While that might be a way off, I did enjoy a night in Valetta’s Ministry of Sound club where superstar DJ Todd Terry was in residence.

Valletta Malta

Despite its long and eventful history, the city seems youthful and buzzing. But everywhere there is a mix of the old and new.

Incongruously close to Ollie’s last stand is St John’s Co-Cathedral, featuring spectacularly gaudy decoration as well as some gems including The Beheading of John the Baptist by Caravaggio and works by Malta’s own art superstar Mattia Preti.

After spending the days wandering around the island’s attractions, it was a pleasure to return to the Xara Palace. And after a rest on the comfy king-sized bed, it was time for a spectacular meal cooked by chef Kevin Bonello in the rooftop de Mondion restaurant overlooking the bright lights of the island.

The setting was spectacular, the ambience relaxed and the food perfection.

Visit yourmalta.com for a choice of Malta hotels

Tags: Ibiza, malta, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, Valletta
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Majorca’s Best Beaches For Summer 2010

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Majorca Blog

Often family holidays can centre around the beach, and finding a good one near to your hotel or villa is an important part of having a good time – and getting it wrong can mean the whole trip is a bad experience.

So where are the good beaches in destinations ideal for a family holiday?

For Majorca, the most popular European vacation island, the answer is Playa de Muro, according to a recent leading quality British newspaper’s travel section.

Playa de Muro is located in the north of the island when looking at a map of Majorca, and the closest holiday resort is Alcudia, popular with both German and British tourists.

The travel section reports that the goldensands are ‘never ending’ and that the beach has earned Blue Flag status, with a number of good hotels located along the beach, offering a good choice for those wanting to be near a beach and searching the internet for Majorca hotels.

They advise that you can wade out quite a long way in the clear water before getting out of your depth, so this is a great option if you have small children. You can hire a pedalo, try all sorts of watersports or take a boat trip.

It’s often a bit breezy, so good for kiting too. If you need a bit of peace and quiet while enjoying the great weather in Majorca. Paths lead to the Albufera nature reserve, which is the largest wetland area on the island.

There is no shortage of bars and restaurants according to the report, whether you want paella, patatas bravas or pizza. If you walk along far enough, there are quieter parts of the beach with picnic areas in the shade of the trees by the dunes.

And for those about to go on their holidays in Majorca they even give some advice about how to find Playa de Muro:

From Alcudia, drive along the bay, past the S’Albufera Nature Park. There are lots of free places to park. You can also get there by bus.

Internet versions of national newspapers are a rich source of good information for tourists to read about destinations – The Daily Telegraph in the UK being one example of quality journalism. In Europe and North America travel journalists write about diverse but related travel topics, and subscribing to them is money well spent, but many are still freely available. Social media also has independent reviews, such as Yahoo Buzz.

Tags: Albufera nature reserve, beach, blue flag beach, holidays, Majorca, Mallorca, Playa de Muro, Spain, travel reviews
Posted in holidays, vacations | 2 Comments »

Young Malta

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

http://www.ttglive.com recently commented about the island:

This is another destination where no-frills airlines are expanding, challenging Air Malta. Ryanair and easyJet each have four UK routes, easyJet adding Liverpool for summer 2010. This expansion has boosted DIY operators such as Youtravel, which says it appeals to younger clients than those typically attracted to the islands.

The operator’s Liz Garfield says: “The swing towards a younger clientele is far more pronounced in the summer months. Music festivals, spas and revamped hotels are proving to be a great draw for young couples and families alike. The increase in the no-frills flights means Malta is a more flexible holiday option. It is now able to compete with the likes of Majorca in the short breaks market.”

Air Malta-owned Belleair claims the widest range of packages to the islands, with new offers including helicopter transfers from Malta airport to the island of Gozo. National sales manager Emma Yorke says: “We offer a comprehensive year-round programme selling flexible, value-for-money alternatives for every pocket and taste. We are an established brand and we pay agents commission on everything – including pre-bookable excursions.”

For flights to Malta visit http://www.yourmalta.com

Tags: Air Malta, easyjet, flights, malta, Malta airport
Posted in Air Malta, airport, holidays, malta, travel, vacations | 2 Comments »

Malta Promotes In Dubai

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Perhaps not the best timing from the Malta Tourism Authority, but Malta now has a tourist office in Dubai to attract visitors from there.

The Malta Independent reports:

Malta has opened a tourism office in Dubai to spearhead a campaign to promote tourism from the UAE and the Gulf.

“We are now offering a three-night stay in five-star hotels, including air fare and taxes at Dh2,290, which is very attractive,” Josef Formosa Gauci, chief executive of the Malta Tourism Authority, has told Gulf News.

MTA held its first conference in Dubai with travel and tour operators to promote the package which will run till January next year. The office will be attached to the Malta Enterprises office in the Fairmont Hotel building where its consulate is also located.

To read the full report click here

For other Malta holiday information visit http://www.yourmalta.com

Tags: Dubai, malta
Posted in holidays, malta, travel, vacations | 1 Comment »

50 Years Of Malta Holidays

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Malta

One British couple enjoy their holidays in Malta so much that they’ve vsited for the last 50 years…The Daily Telegraph ran a report recently, saying:

Michael Hirst, 79, and his wife Mary, 76, enjoyed their first trip to Malta so much that they have spent their holidays at the same hotel in the same resort for the last 50 years.

The couple, from Harefield, Middlesex, have been back and forth to the Hotel Phoenicia in Valleta, Malta, since 1959.

Their holiday photographs chart the changes, as the structure of the building, pool, sun loungers and even the view from the balcony alters over time.

To read the full article click through to The Daily Telegraph here

Tags: holidays, malta, pensioners, travel, vacations, Valletta
Posted in holidays, malta, travel, vacations | 1 Comment »

Malta Properties For Sale To Be Promoted More

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

: Malta Property

Malta may not be a super power or big player in world politics.

Nevertheless, it holds its own even against much larger nations when it comes to the tourism industry.

Malta tourism numbers remain steady despite a declining world economy.

The Republic of Malta, a member of the European Union, is located in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily.

The country is actually an archipelago of seven small islands. It is located in prime Mediterranean territory, which is one factor that makes it such an appealing tourist destination.

Malta has long relied upon tourism as a driving force in its economy. Tourism Euros are what keep it thriving. The weather in Malta is often what draws first-time tourists to the area. A significant percentage of first-timers end up returning not just for the weather. Malta is rich in history, culture and activities which appeal to a wide range of holidaymakers.

Malta tourism hasn’t always been the country’s economic staple. The country has been known for a number of industries throughout the last few centuries. Cotton and tobacco were once prominently grown. The next era saw shipping and trade as a driving force.

However, Malta’s economy began to decline in the 1940’s. It was then that the Maltese government began to shift its focus toward generating a sustainable economy through tourism. Malta entered the tourism market as a force to be reckoned with. Little has changed in that regard since.

Today Malta tourism remains a top economical factor, though the country also has a thriving limestone production industry. Tourists continue to flock to the islands for the balmy climate, sandy beaches and gorgeous scenery.

Malta, like many tourism dependent countries, watched closely as the world economy took a nosedive over the past few years. The government and tourism promoters waited anxiously to see if the economic downturn would collapse it.

Some changes have been reported in Malta tourism trends and patterns over the past year. However, much of these have been minor. Many businesses in the islands still report a steady flow of foreign visitors eager to spend money on their Malta holiday.

One side effect of the economic downturn has been in the Maltese housing market. A government initiative to get more locals into home ownership in the 1980’s appears to have led to a surplus of <a href=”http://www.maltaproperty.info”>Malta properties</a> for sale now.

The programme was aimed at reducing the need for social housing. Its mission was to see more working people and families able to afford their own homes. Cheap land and accessible loans helped thousands of middle class working Maltese purchase homes.

The country enjoyed several years of prosperity, until the world economy collapsed. Housing starts in Malta have dropped considerably in recent years. Not only are new homes not being built, existing homes are sitting empty. Many who got into the market during the housing initiative have moved or passed away. Many of these properties have simply been left vacant for the lack of local buyers.

While this phenomenon has been detrimental to the local housing economy, it may mean deals for foreign visitors. Some property owners have turned to renting out vacant homes to tourists. An abundance of economical rentals has been one catalyst in Malta tourism in 2009.

It may also mean good deals for foreigners looking to purchase property on the island. Malta is home to ex-patriots from both Europe and the rest of the world. It is also a second home or vacation home-away-from-home to many regular and long term visitors.

Malta tourism officials may focus on the housing situation as one way to turn its economy back around. Marketing vacant homes to foreign buyers and renters may be one small way to keep visitors coming back to Malta for future visits.

Tags: holidays, malta, property, real estate, travel, vacations
Posted in holidays, malta, property, real estate, travel, vacations | 1 Comment »

Britons – Your Holiday Island Needs You!

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

: Malta

British holidaymakers have been a mainstay of Malta tourism for many years. With the world economy being what it is, tourism in general is in flux not only in Malta, but everywhere. The emphasis on retaining the British market, which has always accounted for the largest percentage of the entire tourist industry in Malta, is more imperative than ever.

It’s not that British tourists need reasons for making Malta their holiday destination. The two countries share many cultural similarities. Taking holidays in Malta is almost like going home – with sunshine. This creates a level of comfort for British tourists that is not always found in other locations.

Language for one thing is a major attraction. While the official language in the country is Maltese, nearly all the residents speak English fluently. It is taught in Maltese schools from very early grades on, so natives of the country are very comfortable speaking the language. That makes the transition to spending time in a foreign country almost seamless for British tourists.

Little things, like using the same driving rules in Malta as they do in the U.K., add to the seamlessness of acclimating to a foreign country. For visitors to any country, there can be a tremendous amount of stress associated with observing the country’s rules of the road. While it may seem a small thing, it can definitely lessen the excitement and pleasure of being on holiday. British visitors have no driving hurdles to overcome when they arrive.

But even with the home away from home feeling that has been a major attraction for British tourists, the economy has thrown the proverbial monkey wrench into the mix. In particular the decline of the Euro in comparison to the Pound has created problems for the Maltese tourism industry. Families looking for value and savings in their holiday choices are considering other destinations. They are also opting for so called ’staycations,’ choosing to stay home for their holidays instead of packing up and going abroad.

The long and the short of it is that the Malta holiday industry must make extra efforts to bring tourists to Malta. It is especially intent on maintaining the British presence. Part of the problem is an old one that has become more problematic because of the state of the economy. Malta has long had an infrastructure problem. The country needs to upgrade its ability to service a greater number of tourists.

The combination of the need for more hotels in Malta and greater access to the island and all of the infrastructure problems associated with that is not helping to increase tourism. New hotels and especially more four and five star facilities would be a great addition to the tourist industry. But new hotels mean upgrading power and water supplies and improving the highway system. All of this requires sizable investments by the government and private industry. Securing investments is made trickier because the economy is so sluggish.

Nevertheless the tourist industry recognises that it is extremely important to maintain a sizable British presence among holiday visitors. Everyone seems committed to doing whatever can be done to make that happen.

Happily for British tourists, the attention paid to keeping them happy as an inducement to return time and again makes for a very pleasant situation. Malta has sufficient tourist attractions to grow their tourism industry. Whether tourists are interested in warm, sunny beaches, vibrant city life, exploring the countryside, a varied cuisine or exciting cultural offerings, Malta can provide them all.

As either a first time destination or a return destination, Malta is a good choice for tourists who thrive in a Mediterranean ambiance and wondering where to book for their 2010 holidays.

For a Malta blog and travel news visit yourmalta.com

Tags: economy, holidays, malta, travel, vacations
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Malta And Immigration

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

A large part of Malta’s GDP derives from tourism, and incoming investment for Malta property is high – so reports on the BBC News about the island having problems with the number of illegal immigrants through the sheer numbers involved for a small island to cope with, coupled with stories of frequent tragedies in the Med as the would be immigrants try to make their way to Italy and end up close to Malta, plus what happens to those who do make it to Malta doesn’t sit comfortably with Malta projecting herself as the ideal Mediterranean holiday island.

The Mediterranean off Malta is mecca for holidaymakers - and a welcome sight for immigrants too...

The Mediterranean off Malta is a mecca for holidaymakers - and Malta is a welcome sight for immigrants...

And it’s caused friction on the island, with the far right treating it like manna from heaven to further their nationalist cause and making it their number one political issue, while church groups and humanitarians concern themselves with the welfare of the new arrivals, to the derision of some of the local population, some of whom show more concern for a stray cat than a fellow human being’s suffering because of where they originated from.

It’s not just Malta – Canary Island tourists have been shocked as bodies of would be immigrants are pulled out of the sea. It’s an unfortunate situation as migrants from North Africa attempt to brave the rough seas for a chance at a better life in Europe. Despite the news that others before them haven’t made it, they still choose to risk their lives on a journey over the sea in search of a new home.

The Journey from North Africa to Europe

The journey from Africa to Europe isn’t an easy trek. The conditions these migrants travel in are cause for alarm. Makeshift boats are overloaded with people seeking jobs and safety. They brave the unknown with hope of a better life, but many die before they ever reach land. Nearly 10,000 people have died at sea over the last 20 years as they tried to escape Africa. This includes adults and children alike.

These would be immigrants make poor decisions in their desperation. They pay smugglers to board them onto tiny boats with no guarantee for their safety. They use flimsy boats, go days without food or water and are exposed to the blazing sun for long periods of time. They are reported to have dehydration and hypothermia by the time they arrive. If they don’t die from the harsh conditions of the trip itself, the weather presents a problem. Unexpected storms and other poor weather conditions are often the cause of overturned boats.

Worse yet is when the group loses one of its own along the way. Bodies are dumped overboard, not only to allow more room for the other passengers, but also to avoid the smell from the deteriorating bodies. Some people go missing entirely and their bodies are never found.

Holidaymakers Find Bodies in the Sea

Holidaymakers sometimes find these migrants in the water as was witnessed earlier this year in the Canary Islands. Fishermen have pulled living people out of the water, while others have discovered dead bodies floating along. People enjoying their holidays are alarmed to find survivors in the wate trying to make land – and to their credit many of the tourists waded in to pull them to safety. Survivors who make the trip are usually in poor health and are visibly upset.

Malta’s Plan for Dealing with Immigrants

Malta depends to a degree on tourism for their economy. They need holidaymakers to continue booking trips. It’s important for Malta to have some control over the immigrants arriving from North Africa, both dead and alive. North Africans who choose to make this journey present a problem for the Maltese whether they make it alive or not.

Illegal immigrants need jobs and homes. They need help building new lives. Those who don’t survive the trip also pose problems. Bodies are rescued from the sea repeatedly. There is a strong concern not only for the health and safety of the Africans seeking a new home, but also over protecting Malta’s image to the public.

It has been argued that immigrants are wrongly detained for 18 months once they arrive in Malta. Some think that the Africans have suffered from poor living conditions and a life-threatening trip so they should be allowed their freedom. While this may be the humane thing to do, it does also encourage others to attempt to cross the sea for want of a better life. A long term plan to reduce the fatalities on the Mediterranean is to closely monitor the waters for these small boats and provide more aid to North Africa to improve their living situations at home to try and slow the rate of immigrants down.

But the problem will undoubtedly remain that, a problem, for some time to come.

Tags: Africa, canaries, far-right, holidays, Immigration, malta, nationalism, news, politics, travel, vacation
Posted in Africa, Immigration, holidays, malta, property, real estate, travel, vacations | 13 Comments »

Malta Holidays Reach New Markets

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

This year the Mediterranean is battening down the hatches for what may be the worst year for travel for some time. That’s not to say every travel destination is suffering though. Malta recorded her best ever year for tourism in 2008. Visitors continue travelling to see its cultural and natural beauty.

A member of the European Union, Malta attributes its nearly 4 percent growth in its tourism sector to savvy marketing and increased traffic from low-cost airlines. The last quarter of 2008 showed a loss following the bank crisis and worldwide financial meltdown. Regardless, the overall trend of travel to Malta is on an upswing.

Both tourist and per capita expenditure in Malta were down a few percent. This is easily explained by the shift from packaged holiday deals to individual travel. Individual travel increased nearly 10 percent.

Mediterranean Malta Faces A Tourism Challenge

Economist Karm Farrugia believes that it’s impossible to increase the number of tourists per month. However, there are means to increase a tourist’s stay in Malta. By offering additional nights at a reduced cost, hotels make themselves more appealing to tourists with shrinking wallets.

Especially with non-five star Malta hotels, free or reduced rates for extra nights are the best way to compete in a tight market. This is also a great way to encourage tourists to spend money in Malta. Such strategies to extend the stay of visitors are working to increase overall revenue.

The budget for the Maltese tourism authority has increased by 3.5 million euros this year. With this increase comes a refocused approach to marketing. Some areas have been targeted with more funds as trends change. One of the most reliable sources of tourism in Malta is being reconsidered.

British tourists, the group that comprises the highest percentage of tourists in Malta, have been decreasing in numbers. The pound sterling has been losing value against the euro. This is making Malta less cost efficient, though British tourists still make up the highest percentage. Farrugia says that Malta needs to keep its focus on the British tourism market but shouldn’t increase funding. Flying into Malta airport are airlines already who provide cheap Malta flights

Tourists from other European countries have also been taking more holidays in Malta. Italy, Germany, France and Spain have all seen an increasing number of tourists heading to Malta. In response, tourism funding toward Europe has been increased by 50 percent. For the first time, the MTA will broadcast television advertisements in Italy, Germany and France.

One reason for continuing optimism for Maltese tourism is the relatively small size of it. In a crowded industry where many countries aim too high, Malta hotels keeps its necessary room count low. This makes sustainability much easier.

In order to stay ahead, though, the MTA needs to increase their budget even more. A loss of 100,000 visitors could mean a potential loss of 50 million euros. By increasing the budget a mere 4 million euros, this can be avoided.

Malta is known as a destination for luxury, but it needs to reign in unruly guests that have plagued the island recently. It’s up to the MTA and hotel managers to assess this problem jointly. By working together, they can ensure that the industry maintains the high standard that is expected of the island.

It is also known as a spot for tourists to learn English. This explains its continuing popularity among students. Tourism has increased over the past two years in this key demographic.

As long as the MTA learns to refocus its assets and keeps standards high, Malta will continue to be a leader in world tourism. As other areas fall to a down economy, Malta must strategically market itself to new countries while remaining attractive to old favourites. The trends indicate that the country is thinking ahead and is ready for the challenges she faces for getting more people to take Malta holidays.

Tags: credit crunch, economy, holidays, malta, Mediterranean, recession, vacations
Posted in holidays, malta, travel, vacations | 1 Comment »