Holidays in Malta could possibly be from the listing of destinations provided by major tour operators from next summer, according to press reports.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, it has been reported that no less than one with the tour operators is seriously considering withdrawing Malta as one of their destinations, as well as the fear among Malta hotel owners and the ones from the holiday marketplace is that when one holiday company pulls the plug on the island, others will follow, relegating Malta coming from a mainstream holiday island made available from major travel specialists to smaller specialist companies.
First of all Choice Holidays, winner in the 'Holiday Company in the Year' travel award in 2002, 2003 and 2004 then one in the UK's best known holiday companies have told one Malta travel guide that despite being named in the Malta press because the company more than likely for this they've got never said they were taking out from the Malta holiday market, but did admit how the Malta market was 'increasingly difficult' to sale.
Malta has become struggling for many years to adjust to the present day traveller, but government figures released for March showed a year on year stop by tourists of nearly 10 per cent, and a lot worrying of all was that the variety of tourists arriving from your UK, Malta's main market, fell by over 13 per cent, and visitors from Italy, a niche the Tourist Office was attempting to cultivate also fell.
Holidays in Malta along with the related tourist sector really are a major method to obtain employment in Malta, and with unemployment running at a minimum of 8 % any fall in tourists could spell lasting injury to the island's economy.
Another sector in the economy which could have the Malta holidays market is real-estate.
Property in Malta has risen in price in recent times, and 2004 saw Malta having this highest increase one of the EU countries, with speculators buying property in Malta with the aspiration that joining the EU would see Malta real estate property rise in value inside the short and medium term.
Tribune Properties, who focus on Malta Real Estate, observe the potential downgrading of holidays in Malta being a two pronged sword.
Managing Director Michael Johnson claims that many Malta property buyers do this after visiting the island on a break, and liking it much they wish to turn to the area regular, although some who normally remain in hotels in Malta are interested a property they can replace on their unique and holidays for families in Malta, and see buying a property in Malta as an investment money for hard times that they'll enjoy too.
With less people taking holidays in Malta, the amount of potential buyers will fall too.
Silver Lining
While Malta hotels along with the tourist industry in Malta wait anxiously for news, the withdrawal of major tour operators from the island may not be all not so good news.
There was some discontent about the island in regards to the rising prices of property in Malta, with less overseas buyers the potential of prices falling and more islanders being capable of getting on the property ladder could possibly be welcome news.
In addition to lower property prices, YourMalta think that projections of a collapse in the island's holiday market if tour operators did withdraw might be exaggerated.
'While the loss of the tour operators bringing tourists on the island is significant, over time the region will be less dependent upon their business as increasing numbers of people make independent travel plans on the internet, and book their flights and hotels in Malta independently of traditional holiday companies.
Malta has a tendency to attract the older tourist, so that it will take over somewhere like Ibiza for example which pulls a younger visitor who as being a group tend to be internet friendly', states Managing Director Roger Munns, 'but with time if the internet can be considered the primary method to obtain booking a trip through the age groups, Malta will stand just as much chance as anywhere of attracting tourists.
There's been speculation for quite a while now that low cost airlines will certainly start offering flights to Malta, as well as help the Malta hotels and holiday market as increasing numbers of people consider three and four day breaks as opposed to the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the general number of visitors, particularly if Air Malta and the inexpensive airlines bring the price tag on Malta flights to levels seen to the Spanish islands.
With the ineffective promotions board there is certainly plenty of hope still for the holiday market in Malta, despite rather than due to the Malta Tourist Authority, who are unable to promote Malta in britain in a meaningful way.'
