At the risk of incurring the wrath of Air Malta again, we venture back into the world of low cost airlines and consider how they have helped people see more of the world…

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Everyone loves a bargain, and holidaymakers are no exception - this can be seen in the impact of low cost airfares on travelling in Europe.

The first major impact is the rise in short haul travel and vacations. Many of these are three-day holidays, mostly over the weekend or one or two-day public or state holidays. As airfares become lower, there is no need to justify going overseas for a short stay. People are travelling to a famous museum one day and the beach and back home.

Why Short Haul Trips are So Popular

Apart from cost, short haul travel is gaining popularity as more people prefer to stay close to home. This can be for many reasons, including wanting to stay close to family and children, or the necessity of being close to work in case of an emergency. The changing face of personal commitments has also impacted the way in which people travel. Business owners often prefer to stay close because of the demands of their enterprise. The popularity of short haul vacations could also be due to trepidations about making long trips to faraway destinations. In the post 9-11 context some holidaymakers in the US eschew faraway destinations in favour of new experiences closer to home.

Apart from pleasure, some short haul, low airfare trips are for medical or business reasons. The average traveller usually can’t afford the spontaneity of just jetting off somewhere just for the fun of it or to look up an old friend. With travel agencies offering more group and family packages, this is possible. Popular outdoor activities like hiking and white water rafting also attract groups and families who are seeking more value for shrinking budgets.

The UK to Malta in a Weekend

Visiting the island of Malta is now an easy thing for British tourists. Flights to Malta from London takes around three hours. Ryanair chartered the way for low cost fares to Malta from the UK and Ireland, with easyJet following later - Malta resisted budget airlines for some time, but with visitor numbers dropping year on year and British travel companies rumoured to be considering droppping Malta holidays from their brochures, the island had two choices:

Maintain the status quo with the existing airlines who had failed the island’s holiday industry with high fares and a poor service for years, and manage the decline of Malta from a mainstream holidays destination to niche travel status…

…or embrace the likes of Ryanair who could deliver far more tourists than the established airlines and bring the cost of airline fares from the UK and Ireland on a par with flights to Spain.

Malta reluctantly opted for Ryanair, and the exisiting airlines dragged themselves kicking and screaming into the 21st century by improving their own services, cutting costs and fares, and opening new routes such as Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. Without the competition the exisiting Malta airlines would surely now be flying to and from a tourist destination relegated to Europe’s second division of holiday destinations.

Malta offers a great climate, and one of the highest levels of sunshine in Europe. It has become a popular spot with families. There are a number of resorts and beaches to suit just about anyone regardless of income levels. There are numerous bars, clubs and restaurants, where you can mingle with the locals and unwind. Malta makes a great weekend getaway, with lots to see and do before the three-hour trip back to the U.K.

Short Haul Travel in the USA

Not only is the reduction of airfares being felt in Europe, but even across the pond in the USA. More Americans than ever before are vacationing close to home. Short haul travel with its much lower airfare is reaping rewards as visitors tour other states.

States such as California and Texas have invested a great deal of money into promoting its tourism inside the US. One TV ad for tourism in California features Governor and former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. Capitalising on this current trend, many businesses in the tourism sector have changed how they promote and package their products. Many now target visitors and groups from other states, offering discounts for groups of a certain size.

Simply put, many Americans want to discover their own country. Famous landmarks like the Grand Canyon continue to draw large numbers of visitors. National parks and attractions such as Universal Studios theme park also receive large numbers of visitors from inside the US. Lower airfares have made Canada and Mexico even more attractive to Americans seeking a weekend get-away.

More Americans are also renting trailer homes to drive cross country and visit well known landmarks. Bed and breakfasts offer cost-effective options for travellers working with a budget. Some popular destinations in the US include Las Vegas, Honolulu and Orlando. As states continue to pump money into the advertising machinery, it is unlikely this trend will slow anytime soon.

Even when the global economy recovers, short haul trips will continue to be popular, especially if airfares remain low. We can expect to see rather diverse offerings, including golfing, spa packages and historical site tours. It is quite possible that the three-day holiday may become the break of choice for many tourists who seek a little respite from everyday stresses of the factory or office.

Tags: Air Malta, airfares, airlines, blogs, easyjet, flights, Florida, holidays, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Malta, Orlando, ryanair, travel blog, vacations

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 28th, 2008 at 6:17 pm and is filed under Malta, airlines, flights, holidays, vacations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.