The Malta Tourism Authority recently participated in Boot 2014, an international watersports trade fair held in Dusselforf.
The authority has been participating at this fair for the past five years to promote the diving industry. Malta offers some unique experiences, with an abundance of caves and wrecks that make it one of the most interesting spots in the Mediterranean.
Apart from the MTA, local dive centres also find that participation in the Boot fair is an important opportunity to showcase services and entice new business. This year was no exception, with nine dive centres from Malta and Gozo taking part, including Atlantis, Calypso Divers, Dive Systems, Extra Divers, Mad Shark, Nautic Team, Octopus Garden Diving, Orange Shark H2O Divers and St Andrews Divers Cove.
According to 2012 statistics, the total number of tourists who visited the Maltese islands for diving was 85,000. From the German market alone, Malta and Gozo received over 10,000 divers, which means that the German market ranks second highest after the British.
The Boot fair marks the beginning of a new trade fair calendar in Dusseldorf. Around 1,650 exhibitors from 60 countries took part this year and the whole exhibition was spread out over 17 halls.
Apart from the large number of stands, there were also 18 themed settings and adventure worlds, where visitors could learn new activities and try out any water sport in indoor pools and diving pools.