Matthew Xuereb
Portsmouth branded 'new Malta'
A UK railway service provider has embarked on a marketing campaign to lure travellers to Portsmouth, a waterfront city, by comparing it to Malta.
Southern Railways, which provides services in south London and between central London and the South Coast, through east and west Sussex and Surrey, launched its advertising campaign in an attempt to boost tourism figures.
The Telegraph reported that the promotion campaign described Portsmouth as "The new Malta".
The newspaper said the advertising campaign followed the unveiling of a French-themes online video comparing Blackpool to a sophisticated European town. The sceptical report quoted Portsmouth resident Tim Courtnell saying the city got about two weeks of sunshine at best and one was more used to seeing people fighting than socialising in a quaint cafe.
He continued that the beach at Southsea was "a mixture of shingle and Stella Artois cans" and that "you wouldn't think of swimming in the sea".
The city's average summer temperature is 20.7°C, 10 degrees below the average temperature in Malta, while summer rainfall averages 44.5 mm, 10 times more than what Malta could expect in summer, The Telegraph continued.
Air Malta is the official airline partner of 2008 English FA Cup winners Portsmouth Football Club.
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W Spencer
Jun 11th 2009, 12:09
As a Pompey lad, I know Portsmouth and surrounding Towns quite well.
Unlike Malta, the authorities and people of Portsmouth realise that tourism / holiday makers are important to the City. Rather than make it obvious that the tourists are a 'necessary evil ' the City provides the tourists with what they want, and that is the traditional fish n' chips, ice creams, and a few beers, lovely large parks, shopping centres, entertainment venues, casinos, frequent Ferries to Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, France, Spain, the magnificent Spinnaker Tower, and good roads in and out the Towns / City, if you do not want to stay.
Personally I like the Maltese Islands, but even with all the hype about people being friendly (so are the people in Cyprus, Turkey, Spain, USA, etc), I still get the impression that tourists/ holiday makers are an inconvenience to many people.
Crimes ? Despite the figures you provide, its still a great safe City.
Joe Fenech
Jun 11th 2009, 00:51
Just have a look at this yourself:
http://www.upmystreet.com/local/crime-in-portsmouth.html
Joe Fenech
Jun 10th 2009, 22:38
W Spencer :
I don't know who from us two hasn't been to Portsmouth!! Are you denying the reputation it has? Just go to most of Portsmouth schools, and just walk out of the Historical Docks and you'll see: full of people eating fish and chips, drinking alcohol... I will pass the night life!
Of course that Paceville is as bad if not worse!
W Spencer
Jun 10th 2009, 19:36
@ Joe.................there is more crime in Malta than Portsmouth ( particulary murders ) and
St Julians, Paceville pubs / clubs, are inundated with far more lager louts and drug users.
W Spencer
Jun 10th 2009, 15:20
Joe has obviously never been to Portsmouth, period !!
Colette Grech
Jun 10th 2009, 09:16
Joe Fenech: By all means the advert is far from realistic, but it gives no one any right to be so disparaging on the town in question, includuing its inhabitants.
We're sort of well-known for our friendliness and welcoming nature... However, I'm afraid that comments such as yours sort of make it understandable for an outsider (especially one from Portsmouth!) to reach a different conclusion about us Maltese...
Sean Bowman
Jun 10th 2009, 00:28
My apologies to Malta! Since Portsmouth is my home city AND since I am a very frequent visitor to Malta, I can assure you there is no comparison. Portsmouth has many attractions, including the historic Dockyard, BUT Malta it certainly isn't!
Joe Fenech
Jun 9th 2009, 22:25
Portsmouth is the equivalent of Malta in terms of class!
Why on earth Air Malta squanders its money sponsoring a football team of a town that's full of crime and lager louts?????? Is it this market we're targeting???
Blackpool compared to a sophisticated European town: some English advertisers have got a screw lose!! It's a tacky town which is as English as porridge and steak and kidney pie!