Online marketing, bookings, crucial to tourism - de Marco

monica muscat

Aug 14th 2009, 18:48

And what about Air Malta serving a decent meal to travellers? I was disgusted at the coffin-like box containing a bread-roll with some plastic cheese and a piece of ham. And yes... a biscuit. No cup of tea/coffee! Is the cabin-crew "work to rule" still on? How many customers is Air Malta loosing on the way? I for one, will try not to fly Air Malta when next I go on my yearly holiday! But perhaps the VIPs who travel with Air Malta are not aware of what goes on in the back cabins? Of course, they get served decent meals! And what about the "service". You practically get the coffin-like box thrown at your head! Shame on Air Malta.

C A Camilleri

Aug 14th 2009, 18:04

I agree that Internet has brought about huge opportunities but it equally brought about dangerous threats. Let me explain. Personally when I visit places and hotels I always go for the comments before I actually make a reservation. Basically what I read on the comments boards determines destination and accommodation especially the latter. Now if we turn to us, are we really offering a suitable marketing mix? Are we up to the standards we try to sell. The hotel is an important experience but does the rest, I mean the surroundings, live to expectations? We really need to see what comes out of the comments. Let us face the truth, I do not think we need the comments. Everyone goes abroad and see with their own eyes when they compare to Malta. Its a challenge that we have to take up as Maltese to make sure that we are the country that we really advertise. Attracting new tourists is much more expensive then retaining repeat customers. Are we taking care of them? I think not. The ball is in our court. Everybody has to play, are we ready?

E. Azzopardi

Aug 14th 2009, 17:45

Of course, all of this helps. But we have not tackled "The product" seriously yet. Those who know something about tourism know what I am talking about. I cannot comprehend why the MHRA ( never mind the MTA) does not persist on certain aspects of "The Product". No more said.

Joe Micallef

Aug 14th 2009, 17:12

Dr. De Marco Online marketing is surely the way forward, but although we may be reaping short term gains it can mean long term damage for our industry. On the web one can photographically “paint” a perfect picture of the island and generate high levels of expectations. Unfortunately, our product is still short of satisfying that level! Let us not jump the gun!

R Marmara

Aug 14th 2009, 16:44

What about Airmalta lowering the prices? I had to pay nearly 700 Euro for 2 flights to come an visit my family this summer from the UK, even though the flight was not full.. For the same price I could have gone to the US or the far East. Friends at work were considering a holiday in Malta this year but unfortunately they opted for other med. destinations because for the same price they had a 4 star hotel included. I am sure that it would be of great benefit for the Maltese economy if Airmalta sell the Heathrow slots. I would be the first one to travel more often to Malta and spend my wages there and I am sure that most of the other Maltese who work in the UK and have difficult access to low cost airlins would do the same.

J Micallef

Aug 14th 2009, 16:37

All this work to bring tourists to Malta and then having to face water cuts day in day out...No water in St Julians again !!!!