Video: Malta 'resilient enough to face tourism challenges'

Adrian Mifsud

Jan 29th 2009, 13:50

Wise move by Airmalta to introduce the new Verona route and increase the frequency to and from Malpensa. I was always of the opinion that lately the northern Italian region was severely underserviced. I believe the Verona route will result to be a success for the maltese flag carrier. The destination will definately prove popular both with Italians wanting to come over to spend a few days here as well as for the many Maltese flocking the region annually. Extending the service during the winter months (and thus providing an excellent connection to popular skiing resorts), wouldn't be a bad idea at all. Thumbs up KM!!

Joe Galea

Jan 28th 2009, 15:51

What about Ryanair stopping Girona until July?

It's better to check all hotels and re-classify their star ratings. Many hotels are simply to be shut down and disgusting. It's better to market Malta as an off-road adventure since our roads are full of pot holes. What about construction inconveniences especiall during high season? What about the dirty beaches and countryside? What about the high prices everyone has to pay everywhere? Those who travel a lot especially around Europe, you will note that Malta is considerably expensive compared to countries normally known to be expensive.

J Martinelli

Jan 27th 2009, 23:59

The challenges of tourism are not simply the numbers because from year to year they fluctuate and there is no guarantee that new tourists will find Malta year in and year out. A recession will make many postpone that planned holiday and there is nothing a government can do except to stay on course and help the industry within reason.

The biggest guarantee is the repeat business which unfortunately, does not appear to be anywhere near the top of the tourist industry's priorities. The industry is not just the hotels. It is the restaurants, the shops, the taxi drivers, the public transportation, the cleanliness in the streets as well as the countryside. The seemingly uncontrolled vendors right at City Gate are disgraceful, the mostly inoperative Triton Fountain is a magnet for garbage and empty water and pop bottles, the congregation of disheveled bus drivers , the buses themselves and the dirty gabbanas portray a picture of neglect.

Action is needed and soon. Posters and advertising are good but nothing beats the word of mouth and a tourist leaving with a bad experience will neutralize a million euros worth of advertising.

Good manners and a smile go a long way!

m farrugia

Jan 27th 2009, 20:54

Whilst it is good to hear of new routes, nobody has mentioned that Ryanair will stop flights to girona as from 1st April.

Very bad news, considering that airmalta does not fly to Spain and that the only available flight to Barcelona is with Clickair only in summer at a very inconvenient hour. Considering that LCCs are receiving subsidies, it is surely a duty of the tourism authorities to work hard to retain this important gateway to and from Spain.

Antonio Anastasi

Jan 27th 2009, 18:02

The advertising clips are well made and do pride to Malta, though the "Truly Mediterranean" Slogan is at odds with the goverment´s and construction industry's attempts to destroy our cultural, natural and architectural heritage.
I am presently writing from Munich,Germany, a city the size of Malta(?) where I am in awe at how they manage to blend their archictectural, cultural and natural heritage, giving the city a sense of timelessness.
I am sorry to note that, at least in the clips presented on this page, there is no reference to scuba diving, an activity which Malta pioneered some 40 years ago.
Malta is still considered the best site in the Med comparing very well to other destinations like Red Sea.
The scuttling of wrecks and the prohibiting any fishing, especially spearfishing with aqualungs, around them has helped to greatly increase the fauna even in such a relative short time.
Keep up the good work Dr. DeMarco and good luck.