Fewer tourists, shorter holidays

Bill Zammut (student)

Aug 27th 2009, 10:34

Isobel McGonbong @ Yes its verynice thankyou.
Billie.

W Spencer

Aug 27th 2009, 01:19

@ C Cassar

You are definately not on the same planet as the rest of us. Facts / figures show a big downturn in the number of German, French, and Scandanavian tourists to Malta / Gozo.

Most other Med islands / Countries have a LOT more beaches, a lot more atmosphere, and a lot more WELL KEPT historical sites to see.

Cruise ships, well the tourists might buy a few fridge magnets, or a ' kiss me quick ' Malta / Gozo baseball caps, but don't bank on them spending a lot on wining & dining.

Poor exchange rate, recession in UK ?? Why are so many of those ' hard up ' Brits giving Malta / Gozo a miss, and spending a lot more on ' long haul ' holidays ??

You are making up all your comments as you go, and your anti-British attitude stands out like a sore thumb. No chips on my English shoulders, no feeling inferior either, but the same cannot be said of you unfortunately.

Stefan Kottmann

Aug 27th 2009, 01:02

People keep blaming the euro/pound exchange rate for high prices. Granted, but the Germans use the euro and can compare prices, so I'd like to mention the German tourist. Being half German, I have been to Germany a few times over the last ten years and had the opportunity to visit Austria this year. I must say that the prices in restaurants in Germany and Austria are far cheaper than in Malta. A decent, hearty meat-based dish will set you back 9 euro or less. Although, admittedly, drinks are far more expensive - an average of 3 euro for a regular soft drink. And in Malta, any old garage-turned-restaurant in the middle of beirut will charge you almost 10 euro for a humble plate of pasta.

Germans don't eat a lot of pasta, and the average German's hobby does not include weekly or twice-weekly visits to restaurants. It's a different life there. So if you want to entice the average German to visit a restaurant, it must be 1) affordable 2) neither grotty nor pretentious 3) have an imaginative menu that goes beyond (yawn) chips, steamed veggies, pizza, and vanillastrawberry'chololejt' ice cream. Focus on families and give them value.

Maria Galea

Aug 26th 2009, 22:33

Why are they making a fuss about less tourists? We knew it ages ago that visitors will not be plentiful because of the state of the financial world. It is not as if Malta is the only country hit by this. Some other countries did worse than us. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement in Malta if we are really taking tourism seriously. Sometimes I wonder. Two friends of mine arriving from Gatwick yesterday afternoon on Air Malta were given a meal not even fit for a cat let alone humans. Why oh why are we doing this to our airline? If they cannot produce a hot meal for the allotted price, I've said it before and I repeat it again that for the length of the flight from the UK to here, a nice sandwich, a cake and a nice cup of tea or coffee would be ample and more satisfactory than meat balls. Is Air Malta going back to wartime giving travellers on their flight such food? They'll be asking them for their ration card next. Air Malta is sometimes the first taste of our country - so make it good.

Ruby Jenner

Aug 26th 2009, 22:01

Well said Isabel. All of us who take holiday's that we have to save hard for want value for money and not feel like we are being ripped off. Yes, sterling is low and British tourist's will look for better value outside of the euro zone. The question is when the pound recover's will they come back to Malta. The Maltese were alway's known for their friendly welcome to British holidaymaker's but some of the comments here are very negative.

Isobel Mcgonigle

Aug 26th 2009, 19:43

@ Mr Gauchi,Well who were the absolute whingers from outer space,as you put it,re holidays in Gozo?Tally ho,Jolly hockey sticks to you sir ps,Not nice to have a taste of your own medicine is it?

Peter James

Aug 26th 2009, 19:34

@Douglas Bagnall And obviously you didn't read my full comment. It's all about personal tastes and you get what you pay for. Foreign students bring a lot of money into Malta plus they create thousands of jobs. They have great benefits to the Maltese economy and people. If you have alternative methods to create money and jobs please share it with us.

a.dalli

Aug 26th 2009, 18:47

So Libya is again on the forefront of the Maltese Tourism and this with no particular thanks to MTA. It seems that same entity is not interested in this market and any other Arab Speaking market. Libyan nationals travel and travel a lot and spend a lot - MTA wake up.

George Gauchi

Aug 26th 2009, 18:16

Mr.C.Cassar my word exactly, only the English or British all the same to me, that complain thus we now call them The absolute Whingers from out of Space. Yes You are right its the sterling thats the problem and not Malta, why complain now, we are changing with progress but please Brits. don't muck us or make it difficult for us we are doing our best to please you lot., i have many German and Dutch friends yet these people take it in their stride and enjoy themselves, if we were to change too much then it will not be Malta anymore. One Last point on to-days *SkyNews* the pound sterling is the lowest against the euro for the past two years. so there now comment as you got no leg to stand on or perhaps you Brits are a little tiny wee bit jealous of us Maltese having such a great and a Free from Crime wonderful country and friendly folk . Correct if i am wrong.. Tally Ho Johnny boy.

Douglas Bagnall

Aug 26th 2009, 18:06

Peter James, you are at it already, you say, Instead of being a busybody I should try and enjoy the more positives when on holiday as the vast number of tourists do. What a shame you did not listen to what I and others are saying in this article, carry on Peter and the rest of the tourists will disappear for good then their will be no one to left to criticize, only yourselves. What a shame. Doug Bagnall England

C Cassar

Aug 26th 2009, 17:53

Well, here we go again. The people who complain about the cost of things (usually eating out) in Malta are invariably British. Why don't they understand that it's a UK problem, not Maltese? The GBP (Sterling) has plunged 30% against the Euro in the last 2 years and just the last 2 days has taken another nose dive. It's all down to the terrible way the UK government has managed the economy over there. With regards to shabbyness, I think that's rather overplayed. Sure, Malta has it's rough edges but no more that Cyprus or many of the other Mediterranean islands of which most only offer a few more sandy beaches but no atmosphere, history or any feeling of local culture. I've met so many Dutch, German, Austrian, French and other nationalities that absolutely love Malta BECAUSE it has a few rough edges which make it a real and vibrant place, not some benign, stale and boring outpots like so many other island locations in the Med. Again, getting back to pricing, it's only the Brits that have the problem. Announced today in the times are another 170,000 Italian cruise passengers coming next year between May-Sep 2010.

Graham Holme

Aug 26th 2009, 17:41

@ Paul Nathan Glad you had the courage to say it sir,Yes the tourists,mainly the British ,are feeling intimidated by the number of illegal immigrants roaming the tourist areas at night,they stand on street corners in groups of three or more. Not saying they are causing trouble,but with lessons learned from the U.K.the British get nervous on sighting these young men,just lingering about in their small gangs. One of the main attractions to Malta,is that you can walk out at night and feel safe,sadly this seems to be no longer the case

Dominic Vella

Aug 26th 2009, 17:38

The number of tourists aged 45+ actually went up from 46,137 to 49,170 as the younger half stayed away this year. Malta has to decide what segment of tourist it wants and then provide a niche service for them and concentrate on delivering what those tourists want with excellence. At present we try to be a Jack of all trades and end up delivering an uncompetitive mixed product. Perhaps the older tourist spends more on cultural outings rather than beach visits for example and we could deliver this better and more profitably than any competitor country (at least the sand taken from the beaches in the 70s to lay turf on in the football pitches can stay there). We can't continue to go after students and 20 somethings as well as familes with young children, 5 star direct bookers as well as bucket and spade package holidays, English as well as Libyans etc. etc. on such a tiny island. We can't please this variety profitably. They all want different things.

Peter James

Aug 26th 2009, 17:33

@Douglas Bagnall It's boils down to personal taste. If you don't want to visit then you’re always welcome to visit Blackpool in the sun (Majorca). Good job i didn't visit the UK to watch the football match West Ham vs. Millwall yesterday, ey Doug? Like i mentioned all countries have negatives and if you look for it you will find it. Instead of being a busybody try and enjoy the more positives when on holiday as the vast number of tourists do.

Douglas Bagnall

Aug 26th 2009, 17:16

Tourism down again. I have added to comments in your paper many times before, outlining many of the reasons, given in the replies below, for the decline in tourists, and also including the so called (rabble) of English students that don't help. Most of the time I have received many derogatory return comments when all I have tried to do was give a tourist point of view. Well I fear it is too late for Malta, a country and people we once loved and visited often, but no longer, we have moved on like many of our friends to, yes, places like Majorca and Cyprus. So sad for your once lovely holiday destination. Doug Bagnall England

Galea. L

Aug 26th 2009, 16:52

And it has been announced on the media that a cruise liner that used to bring more than 2700 passengers each week will not be doing so in 1910 and 1911.

John Zammit

Aug 26th 2009, 15:31

with all the money tourists spend here they will surely get a better package in corfu cyprus tunis......
so what we are expecting?

Joseph Tonna

Aug 26th 2009, 15:27

@ joe fenech
there are already luxury apartments and hotels ... what are you saying ? we need to be serve more gently our tourists and have reasonable lower prices ....change the public transport radically, mend all roads to best levels, have more green areas, improve public beaches etc etc , thats what we need to do urgently in case we are going to have fewer tourists year after year ...

V Zahra

Aug 26th 2009, 15:13

What do you expect. I am a maltese living in the UK. I visited Malta for a holiday in June (10 days), Eur 2K worth of shabby overpriced rented villa (for 3 people). Total cost of holiday (incl flights) Eur 4500.

Last week i just came back from a 7 day holiday in a superlative 5star + resort & spa in Maldives (indian ocean). Total cost of holiday Gbp 3200.

Now, where do you think i will go for my next holiday in 3 months time?!

Isobel Mcgonigle

Aug 26th 2009, 15:08

Dear tourist in Malta,a list of rules to obey,whilst you are here,enjoy your holiday
No.1,When being overcharged in the various,shops,bars,eating,places,etc,except it with a grin,dont complain
No.2,If you hire a car,and manage to negotiate the many potholes,on roads that resemble a lunar landscape.tailgated,being overtaken on blind bends,cut up,your ,your well being,threatened,every time you get behind the wheel of your car,smile,dont complain
No.3,Dont even dare say.Malta,is dirty,untidy,with rubbish everywhere,because you will be told its the tourists,who litter the streets etc,not the Maltese.
Just a few simple rules to follow while you are here in Malta,to complain about any of the above,and lots more ,that have not been mentioned,will result in you being called a whinger,and you will be told,if you dont like it go elsewhere,looks like lots of tourists are taking the advise given,

Andrew Paris

Aug 26th 2009, 15:05

Fewer tourists, shorter holidays.
And they won't be coming back. Malta is dirty and unruly.

Cedric Busuttil

Aug 26th 2009, 15:02

@Mick - In no way I am going to judge your comments. I've travelled to some destinations but................... I still believe Malta is the better!!!!!!!! However, would love to seee you sitting in a Florida park with a $100 dollar note in your hand all night long. Very curious about what would happen !!!. Ohh -- you can do this in our country --- ANYWHERE!!!. Maybe - and I emphasize MAYBE ( cause I doubt after the first try )!!!! you can then compare results :)

joe scerri

Aug 26th 2009, 14:57

I recently had the opportunity to visit Barcelona and Mallorca. Decent roads, cleanliness, no cranes round every corner. As pointed quite often in this paper's editorial, Malta is shabby to say the least. Period. One of the reasons is we are unable to take any criticism. The typical reaction from most Maltese whenever foreigners criticize the Malta is “if you don’t like it here go elsewhere. “ As the saying goes, truth hurts.

Joseph Tonna

Aug 26th 2009, 14:43

Vera hemm certu oqsma ghamilna passi l quddiem pero fejn tidhol indafa , kundizzjonijiet tat-toroq , transport pubbliku , ambjent etc ... ghadna lura hafna hafna hafna....

P James

Aug 26th 2009, 14:35

Malta is like Marmite you either love it or you hate it. I love it!
I tend to look at positives more than negatives whenever I get the chance to have a holiday. We can all easily pick out the bad points of any country we visit but I prefer to focus my interests with enjoying myself instead of being a sad busybody.

As Mick Quinn mentioned it's all about price and value for money, nothing more and nothing less.

Paul Nathan

Aug 26th 2009, 14:23

I have been coming to Malta for many years now.

I love the frendilyness people, the food , the fishing,the buses(old ones), your driving is always fun,football ( come on you Hibs) and have many friends in Malta.

I am Married to a Maltese lady and will continue to come, however I can understand why tourism is down ,you spend hours each day cleaning your houses but when you go to the beach you leave all your rubbish on the beach and in the sea.

The Euro (when speaking to the maltese people 90% people did not want) has put our costs up by 40% this year for us.

I am not afraid - however many people feel intimadated by the amount of illegal immigrants in your lovely country, this comes from many disscussions from speaking to many of my English friends on why they would not come to Malta.

I hope this does not insult your lovely country in any way ,and gives your govenment food for thought - from somebody that loves Malta.

Kind regards

George Gauchi(pensioner)

Aug 26th 2009, 14:19

@MicK Quinn@ reading your comment nearly had me and my misses in tears.. whatever are we going to do? i wonder. do you think we should go back to basics or what? it don't look very rosey or promising from where i am sitting now doesn't it. Maybe we should ask the Royal Navy or the British armed forces to come back to Malta, they used to spend quite a bit then ore then what the visiters are doing lately, and talking about Rosey those were the days, dream on>George> but on a more sober note, don't worry chaps, things will return soon as promised by our wonderful shall i dare say government(s).

Fenech M D

Aug 26th 2009, 14:02

Well read this:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090824/letters/keep-malta-the-best-place-to-holiday

We are all to blame (even the govt)!

Joe Galea

Aug 26th 2009, 13:55

With 250Euros I found offers to Martinique for a week including flights, accomodation in a 3* Hotel, from France. Tell me who is that idiot that will choose Malta which is ridiculously expensive to such offers?

Better the government starts reducing the VAT on the hospitality industry. Reduce the water, electricity and gas prices. Make a sort of control on prices. Stop all the ODZ building which is ruining the few nature we have left. Build up decent roads, not roads that you might find in the jungle in Zimbabwe. Stop constructions in the vicinity of hotels and tourist areas in the high season. Embellish tourist areas and deploy workers to give a cleanup to all Malta. etc etc etc

Alex Right

Aug 26th 2009, 13:46

As a foreigner i sadly have to agree that a holiday experiance in Malta usually not is what people expect it to be.
Start to set the correct category at hotels, how can 1 and 2 star hotels be categorized as 4 stars or 5 stars by the maltese tourism board. The first thing that happens is that tourists who expekt high standard gets into a bad mode about a lousy hotel. People dont mind to pay if they feel they get value for money.

Restaurants, clean up your act and start charging for what you offer, a pasta that is overcooked in a not so nice restaurant with bad service is not worth 10 euros or more, it is worth 4-5 euros considering what you pay your staff..Start to look at filling up your restaurants and make a little less on each client, that will help you handle old food etc better with a higher turnover.

Goverment, you should start building quality roads and clean the streets every day. Start to offer enviromental bonuses and get the dirty busses of the road.

D Cohen

Aug 26th 2009, 13:40

One major reason for this is the attitude of you people. The Maltese are the worst nation I have ever seen with inviting tourists into your country. You have cab drivers that are rapists, Bus Drivers that are rude to tourists and as Luca Pellegrino stated, the worst driving skills known to human kind!

I tell people NOT to come to Malta these days and to rather go to Cyprus or somewhere in Italy instead. Why spend your money in a place that clearly doesn't want it!

Mick (Cut to the chase)Quinn

Aug 26th 2009, 13:36

The figures will continue to go down again and again, wait till next year they are going to be worse when there is even less money to spare.
TRW O'Neill, has mentioned many of the points. Malta is very expensive and doesn't represent value for money, it's also incredibly dirty with poor sanitation and a lack of public toilets everywhere. The roads are better in Yemen, Peru,and even in India.
Given the deals in tourism available, I think that I would rather spend GBP350 on a trip to Florida(including a weeks accommodation) than come to Malta where prices are artificially high and customer service is a swearword

E. Azzopardi

Aug 26th 2009, 13:24

Well, blame it on the recession! We are definitely on top of things here and all the product needs is some very simple touches, if anything!!!!!!!!
What we should have NOT done and what we should have done is catching up with us.

Joe Fenech

Aug 26th 2009, 13:11

TRW O'Neill

That was a tongue in cheek comment..!

pscerri

Aug 26th 2009, 13:10

And it will keep on dwindling, especially with the attitude I've seen on some of these blogs. Instead of working to adjust any shortcomings some people are practically telling tourists that we don't want them here! Even the loyal returning visitors who love our country are being told to 'get lost'.

So much for Maltese hospitality! We seem to have lost our one trait that attracted so many foreigners here.

It's about time 'Malta' got off her high horse!

Joe Fenech

Aug 26th 2009, 13:08

All the foreigners I meet say "Malta is shabby, weird, dirty, they get conned, driving is horrendous, etc, etc" Model of excellence, isn't it ,Gonz?

TRW O'Neill

Aug 26th 2009, 13:00

Thats a laugh Joe, those already built are in trouble.Do not forget that cheating visitors kills the Golden Goose in the end. the infrastucture is on the whole filthy, roads are 3rd world at best,, then again, all those not making money from Whinging Tourists as they are called, when they dare to comment on the bad state of things in Malta, are told if you dont like it dont come here, they are taking note, tourists often mean to help when they comment, instead of agreeing that improvements are needed. So when trade suffers blame the cheats , the bad drivers, the Govt. for not listening to the complaints, the Matlese litter louts, the petards also, realise that Malta has competitprs who do it better & cheaper. heed advice, do not say go away then, after complaints , because people will, like it or not all counties rely on Tourism. Improve or go down the tube even more. All the half built complexes should ring alarm bells.Who will buy them if not foreigners? which many Matese dislike.You do not cheat people that you like! QED.

Luca Pellegrino

Aug 26th 2009, 12:47

I don't think that the problem is the number of Hotel or aparments.
I think the problem is that, mostly in the weekend, tourists find garbage on the roads, cockroaches (in the hotel too). We must keep more clean the island to attract more peoples and probably organize more summer events for tourists.

Joe Fenech

Aug 26th 2009, 12:25

We need to build more hotels and luxury appartments to attract them!