Malta

Some travel analysts suggest that Malta’s holiday industry was saved by the entry into the market of budget airlines, turning a worsening position just a few years ago to an island that has a vibrant tourism sector.

With higher airfares than competitors in the Mediterranean the number of holidays to Malta had been declining for some years, but eventually the authorities gave in to the inevitable and allowed Ryanair to start flights to Malta - and the island hasn’t looked back since.

Other airlines are now flying to the island’s Luqa Airport, including easyJet and bmi, from not just the main UK airports such as Gatwick, but Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle - with good news for holidaymakers in Northern Ireland that easyJet are to start a Belfast service soon.

The net result of the skies opening up to the budget airlines is a wider choice of Malta flights for tourists, with a choice of departure times and airport, and lower airfares.

And while the UK market is the biggest for her tourism industry, more visitors are coming from elsewhere as the airlines have opened new routes to the island from other European cities - diversifying the tourist mix, becoming less dependent on the UK, and increasing the net number of holidaymakers spending money in the hotels, shops and other holiday related businesses.

The new routes include Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Marseille, Seville, Stockholm, Valencia and Venice - allowing Italian, Spanish, French and Swedish people to more readily consider Malta for a holiday destination.

All excellent news for the tourism industry. But it’s not just the lower fares that those taking a holiday are benefitting from, as Malta’s flag carrier is winning awards for excellence, while lowering their own fares to compete with the budget airlines.

In a recent satisfaction survey of passengers by the influential Which? consumer magazine in the UK, Air Malta was voted as one of the best, alongside Swiss Air, while the budget airlines were a lot less successful.

It’s quite a turnaround for the island’s national airline. Given that it’s a small country with a population of just over 400,000 people there were justifiable fears that the airline might go out of business as the low cost carriers cut fares. But Air Malta has not just competed well on fares but provided a service that other - much bigger - airlines cannot match.

Coupled with the good hotels Malta has, the island now appeals not just to those who want a traditional two week holiday in the Mediterranean, but also for those who want to visit for a long weekend. Spa hotels are a big attraction, and some of the Malta hotels have been winning awards for excellence in the last couple of years, all adding to her reputation among tourists in the UK and Europe.

The capital is Valletta, and the main villages where people take a Malta holiday are St Paul’s Bay, Mellieha and St Juilan’s. Mellieha has the best beach and a ot of people who take villas as opposed to staying in a hotel opt to stay here, with the Santa Maria Estate popular.

Another Malta blog is available at maltaproperty.info and often people post their own photographs of the island along with photographs on social media like facebook, myspace and twitter.

ThisisBristol visited the island recently, and had this to say:

The Mediterranean is never far away wherever you are on Malta, which is just 20 miles long and 12 miles wide. The surrounding clear blue waters of the Med enhance the charm of the island – and that of its near neighbour, Gozo – and have enriched its history.

Arabs, Ottomans, French, British – all have come over the centuries, leaving aspects of themselves in what, nowadays, is a small but proud and forward-looking independent state.

For the modern-day tourist, it teases the curiosity, as you seek to piece together the jigsaw of which foreign visitor of years gone by influenced what can be seen today.

Malta’s setting, at the heart of the Mediterranean, is what has proved the magnet for the invaders of the past and the recreational visitors of the present.

Just over three hours away by Ryanair from Bristol Airport, Malta has long been a destination for holidaying Brits, unsurprisingly, in view of the close links between the countries. Flights to Malta are available with most regional airports.

Indeed, Malta’s flag bears an image of the George Cross awarded to the islanders by Britain for their fortitude in withstanding Nazi bombardment during World War II.

That sense of a country under siege permeates the history of the strategically significant island, although it is now a fully-fledged member of the European Union, with the euro adopted two years ago as its currency. Consensus has superseded confrontation in the forging of economic alliance.

Relax at a Maltese resort or visit its historical sites – everywhere is within easy reach. Gozo is also just 20 minutes away by ferry.

You can absorb some of what Malta is about by sitting at a street-side cafe in the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Gazing out at the vividly painted, multi-coloured fishing boats – known locally as luzzo and kajjik – bobbing about on the water starts to form an impression of the role the Mediterranean plays in Maltese life.

Marsaxlokk Malta

The catch of the day is sold at a fish market in the village.

You can get up close and personal with the Med in a small outboard motor-powered boat at Wied iz-Zurrieq’s Blue Grotto, pretty much a must-see, as the craft meanders between the striking rock formations, at one moment in semi-darkness before re-emerging into glorious warm sunshine from a cloudless sky.

Close by are the ancient temple structures of Hagar Qim and Mnadjra, sited against the inevitable backdrop of the Mediterranean.

A good way to learn what has shaped Malta is to watch an audio-visual history in The Malta Experience, next to Fort St Elmo, in Valetta, the nation’s capital.

There is more to see in Valletta, with the best view of the island’s Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, on the St Peter and St Paul Bastion. Across the water, from your elevated perspective, can be seen Fort St Angelo and the Three Cities.

It was during the two-year long French occupation under Napoleon that Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea were given the collective Three Cities title. Again, though, the Maltese sense of independence is apparent, as Vittoriosa, which translates as ‘the victorious one’, is known to the locals as Birgu, well worth knowing as you find your way around.

A highlight of a visit to Valetta is the Co-Cathedral of St John. Fairly ordinary looking from the outside, the contrast inside could hardly be more marked, with the stunningly ornate interior décor a homage both to Malta’s overwhelming devotion to Catholicism as well as honouring the island’s venerated Knights of the Order of St John.

Originally formed in Jerusalem to care for the sick, the Order developed into a military organisation, dedicated to defending the Catholic faith.

After a somewhat nomadic existence, the Knights were given Malta by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, in 1530. Previous encounters with the imperialistic Ottomans came to a head in 1565 with one of the most significant events in Malta’s history – the Great Siege.

Against seemingly insurmountable odds, the Knights, under their inspirational Grand Master, Jean de LaValette, who was in his 70s, held off the invader.

Valetta was named in the leader’s honour and the Co-Cathedral gives the modern-day tourist an insight into that period, with mosaics on the floor covering the interred remains of Knights or paying tribute to those who died and are buried elsewhere.

Perhaps the greatest treasure in the Co-Cathedral, however, is Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John the Baptist.

The painting, commissioned by the then Grand Master of the Order of St John, occupies a whole wall of a room in the Co-Cathedral and concentrates the mind as you appreciate the style of the rumbustious and rebellious Caravaggio, with the subjects of the work in a corner of the painting and the rest in darkness.

At the other end of the same room is another Caravaggio – St Jerome Writing. This painting has a fascinating contemporary tale to tell, having been stolen before being saved in the nick of time before, perhaps, being lost forever.

Malta is certainly steeped in history but it has an eye on the future and one of the most striking examples of that is Tigne Point, an ultra-modern residential, business, shopping and dining development, at Sliema.

The Point Mall is described as Malta’s first international standard shopping complex, with around 50 stores offering goods ranging from fashion and jewellery to household goods and books.

A prime place to eat at “The Point” is the Salini restaurant. At night, its view across the harbour of the lit-up Valetta is hard to beat.

If that is a feast for the eyes, then the menu is equally satisfying, based on Salini’s tagline, “Flavours of the Mediterranean”. Served up tapas style, there was something for all palates, with salami, pork belly, cod in beer batter, seared tuna, anchovies in breadcrumbs and lamb tagine with potatoes available. A dessert highlight was a drinkable lemon sorbet.

Accommodation to suit all budgets is available with, nearer the top end, the five-star Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, in St Julian’s, providing that extra bit of luxury. Its 180 rooms and 70 executive club rooms include 39 suites. There are five outdoor pools and a day spa for those who want to chill out.

Depending on the length of a stay in Malta, a day out from the main island to Gozo is well worth while, making the short ferry trip from Cirkewwa.

Gozo, which means “joy”, was named by the Aragonese in 1282 and features the remnants of a significant historical site.

To put the Ggantija Temples into context, they predate Stonehenge by 1,000 years and are thought to be the oldest freestanding structures in the world. The complex, excavated between 1816 and 1820, has two Neolithic temples that are 7,000 years old. To read the full article click here

For the latest offers for Malta holidays visit yourmalta.com

Good news for people in Northern Ireland who want to go on holiday to Malta - easyJet are to start flights to Luqa Airport.

The Times of Malta report:

Low-cost airline easyJet is to introduce flights from Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Malta from February 11.

Flights will be operated to and from Belfast International Airport on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK commercial manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to add this exciting new destination to the already attractive range of flights we offer.

“Malta is often described as an ‘open-air museum’ and has a rich history that is evident in its stunning architecture.

“The island is famous for it clear blue waters and, for today’s visitors, there is the obvious appeal of dry, warm summers.

“Malta is a very welcome addition to easyJet’s existing hotspot destinations like Alicante, Faro, Ibiza, Malaga and Palma.”

To read the article at The Times click here (there are also interesting comments under the article from their readers welcoming the new service) and for cheap Malta flights visit yourmalta.com

As well as Malta, easyjet offer Majorca flights

As UK holidaymakers get set to head to the Mediterranean island, Post Office Travel Insurance reminds people of the importance of travel insurance.

Research from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has shown that Malta is expected to be a popular destination for UK tourists throughout 2010. The country already hosts around half a million UK tourists each year, and according to the ABTA Travel Trends Report this figure is expected to increase thanks to new Malta flights from the UK to be introduced this year.

With Malta set to be a popular short-haul destination, Post Office Travel Insurance advises those planning to visit the island not to forget their travel insurance. Post Office Travel Insurance reminds holidaymakers that whatever the destination travel insurance is always an important requirement.

Those planning a weekend break in Malta in addition to a longer holiday during the year may benefit from an annual travel insurance policy. An annual travel insurance policy is often a cost-effective way of taking out travel insurance cover if going on multiple holidays throughout the year.

Post Office Travel Insurance reminds all travellers to check that they should have the correct travel insurance policy in place before they travel - even when only embarking on a short-haul holiday or city break - to ensure peace of mind when travelling should delays, accidents or emergencies occur.

About to book a holiday to Malta and wondering which airline to fly with?

A letter praising Air Malta appeared in the Malta Times yesterday and is worth reading - including the comments below the article from other readers about their Malta flights.

I have holidayed every year in Malta, bar one, since September 1979, and apart from two years have always flown with Air Malta, for many years more than once a year. So I think I am well equipped to comment on Air Malta.

I have just returned from Malta and was interested to read of the criticism about flight prices etc. on the web yesterday in the many letters regarding Ryanair.

Firstly, I have no financial or employee connection with Air Malta. I am merely a longstanding and loyal tourist to Malta but I am a Flypass member due to my frequent flying.

I live on the Isle of Man and, therefore, need to fly from here to the UK and then on to Malta and rarely do I now pay more than £125 for my return flight and this is not because I am a Flypass member.

I do not have to pay for meals, which for the most part are more than adequate, and I even get a free newspaper. I do not pay credit card charges, I do not pay for hold baggage or have weight or specific airline size restrictions on cabin luggage. I do not have to pay to go to the toilet, soft drinks are free on all scheduled flights and the cost of alcoholic drinks is very reasonable. I do not have to pay extra to choose my seat online. I can download my boarding card online or via mobile. Air Malta also advise either by web or mobile of the impending flight or indeed beforehand if there are any delays and confirm by mobile or the web at a time agreed by me of the departing flight. The web booking system is easy to understand as are the timetables, days of flights and prices for each flight on each day you may consider travelling, so it is possible to forecast times and prices before booking.

Add to that the fact that Air Malta flew when airlines like Ryanair cancelled flights in large numbers, not only during the recent ash crisis but also last January when the heavy snow and ice hit the UK - I know because I was flying both last December and January and got through to Manchester.

The staff at check-in desks both in Malta and Manchester, which is the UK airport I mostly use, are exemplary in their dealings.

Going back to cost, I note from my records that I first started to use flight only as against a package holiday in 2003 and the cost of Air Malta’s return flight was £247. It then varied depending on the time and date of flight up as high as £300, down to £177 in the following years but since 2004 the average price has dropped from about £252 to £101 in July 2008, £114 in October 2008, £94 in December 2008, and last April I paid £125. I am quite happy at future prices. I return in July!

I pay nearly £90 for a 45-minute Flybe flight from the Isle of Man to Manchester, no meals, limited cabin luggage size and weight etc. so maybe that puts it all into perspective as I can pay a lot more if I booked nearer to the departure date.

We had our own airline, Manx Airlines, and it was swallowed up by BA for a couple of years then they pulled out and now we have an assortment of airlines. We do not appreciate what we have until we do not have it, and if you lose Air Malta then you lose - big time.

To read the full article at the Times and to see the comments left click here

For Malta flights visit yourmalta.com - airlines and holiday companies who fly to Malta include Air Malta, Ryanair, easyJet, Thomson Holidays and Thomas Cook.

easyJet are adding flights to Malta from Liverpool Airport in June this year, while BMI are starting Malta flights from May 28.

The number of people flying to the island with low cost airlines doubled last year.

For information about the airport and Malta flights visit yourmalta.com - they also have tour operators offering good deals for Malta holidays.

Malta Airport is one of the best in Europe, with the Malta Independent commenting:

According to the Airport Council International’s results of its Airport Service Quality Survey 2009, which benchmarks the Global Airport Industry, Malta International Airport has been classified as Europe’s fourth best airport.

MIA is preceded by Keflavik, Zurich and Porto. Malta International Airport has also been classified as the third best in Europe for its shopping facilities – a result attributable to the recent improvements unveiled at MIA in 2009, most notably the expansion of the retail area with its innovative concept of a virtual walk-through shopping mall.

MIA also fared very well on other scores such as the availability of parking facilities and its related value for money where MIA placed fifth in Europe. Moreover, good results were notably achieved for the availability of banking facilities and Internet / Wi-Fi access where MIA also placed fourth in Europe. To read the article click here

For details of Malta flights and Malta holidays visit yourmalta.com

In a recent report about the affect that cheap flights are having on European holiday destinations, http://www.ttglive.com comment that it’s playing a major part in attracting a new generation of holidaymakers to the island:

MALTA

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

Malta holiday news for the people of the UK counties of Hampshire and Dorset - their local airport is about to have flights to Malta - and at prices which will tempt many to take a holiday or short break as the flights are being operated by Europe’s most successful low cost airline.

With low cost flights it will boost the island’s tourism industry as more people decide to try a Malta holiday for the first time - or remember their last trip and decide to visit again.

With prices low it will encourage not only traditional week and fortnight holidays, but also three and four day breaks for those who might normally visit the Spanish Costas.

Ryanair pioneered cheap Malta flights a few years ago after a long battle with the authorities who seemed apparently entrenched in their ways, and protective to existing carriers.

It was only after quite a battle to win the right to fly to the island that airfares came down in line with much of the rest of Europe, bringing more holidaymakers and relief to the Malta holidays trade.

As well as Bournemouth, the airline offers cheap Malta flights from Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Luton - and from Ireland has a service from Dublin.

Further helping the island’s economy Ryanair aren’t just flying to and from the UK and Ireland. In mainland Europe they have cheap Malta flights to and from Spain - Barcelona and Madrid - Pisa and Venice in Italy, and Stockholm in Sweden.

These flights from Spain, Italy and Scandanavia has helped Malta become more cosmopolitan, which in turn means visitors are more likely to visit from diverse destinations across Europe and not just from the UK. Helpful indeed to the island’s economy as it’s no longer reliant on just one country’s tourists to choose it from a multitude of other locations, especially when that country has been in a recession for two years and is only just beginning to emerge from it.

Holidays in Malta can now appeal to a wide range of people both from the UK and Europe, and with the cost now on par with a week in Spain there’s every reason to hope that the island will see a good number of holidaymakers visit for 2010.

More Malta holiday details are at http://www.yourmalta.com

Tourists often post comments about their holidays on facebook

After losing some of the British tourism trade in recent years, Malta has been successfully reversing the trend recently.

Malta has been a holiday destination for tourists from Germany, Italy, France, Holland and the UK for many years. In the past British tourists have always composed a high percentage of the overall tourist trade. But as coverage of Malta as a holiday destination dropped off in the British press, so did tourism.

The Malta tourist board stirred from complacency and woke up to realise that British holidaymakers have other choices other than a Malta holiday.

Action included awarding airport slots to some of the low priced airlines, like Ryanair and easyjet. In addition the official airline of Malta (Air Malta) began lowering its own fares and working with hotels to offer great package deals. And the cheap Malta flights started to work with Ryanair flying tens of thousands of extra holidaymakers to the island.

Because Malta is not just a holiday island, there is always something to do or see for those who do take a Malta holiday.

Tourists who are familiar with the island know that it is impossible to see and do everything in a week or even a month. With the multitude of sporting events and sports to participate in, the nightlife, movies, historical and cultural performances, concerts, sailing, rock climbing and hiking, the choices can be overwhelming.

Malta also boasts some of the most stunning beaches and scenery in all the Mediterranean. There is a lot to be said for spending lazy days on sandy beaches where the most strenuous activity may be choosing the right restaurant for dinner.

A Malta holiday can match any other Mediterranean island for both activity and relaxation.

Holidaymakers are not at all bound by the area in which they are staying. The public transport system is excellent and inexpensive. You will quickly find that you can traverse the island in less than an hour. If that intriguing sounding restaurant is not exactly just around the corner, it’s still very accessible.

Planning a Malta holiday very often does not include consideration of communication issues. The official language of Malta is Maltese, which most tourists probably do not know. Luckily for tourists, especially the British, Malta’s second language is English. Everyone speaks English. It may seem inconsequential, but anyone who has experienced difficulty in communicating knows how frustrating it can be.

British tourism seemed to be returning to Malta in 2007 to 2008. The world economic crisis threatened to wreck the progress as potential tourists all over the world had to rethink what was possible.

American tourists used to travelling abroad began to look closer to home or even stay home. Like the Maltese tourist industry, resorts and Malta hotels began to offer incredible package deals in order to fill rooms.

In Southern California some of the most sought after vacation venues are currently offering deals that make it hard to say no. First rate hotels and resorts in Monterey Bay, Carmel, Santa Cruz and San Diego are discounting their rates by as much as 50 percent. In addition to the luxury accommodation, tourists are a relatively short drive from places like Sea World, Disneyland, the Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Hearst Castle and even San Francisco.

The approach is not very different from the deals offered to bring British tourism back to Malta. Smart marketing and going the extra mile to bring tourists back goes a long way, recession or no recession.

For more details about Malta visit http://www.yourmalta.com  which has the latest holiday deals and travel news.

Malta holidays

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