After long months of depressing results, the Malta International Airport management is seeing better prospects for 2010. While there was a drop of 6.1 per cent in the number of passengers using the airport in 2009, we may have turned the corner in December when passenger figures again increased over the same month of the previous year.

But one swallow does not make a spring. There has to be sustained growth in the coming months if we are to say that this particular effect of the recession has now been reversed. Malta's dependence on tourism is much higher than that of any other EU country, with the exception of Cyprus.

The slowdown in tourism has not only affected directly the operations of MIA but has had a marked effect on the results of Air Malta and a number of hotel operators. The national airline still carries 56 per cent of all passengers travelling to and from Malta despite stiff competition from low-cost airlines, like Ryanair and Easyjet.

Another factor in the equation that will ultimately decide whether the projections of the MIA management of better passenger figures for 2010 are reached is the speed of economic recovery in countries from where visitors come, namely Britain, Germany, Italy and France. These countries are technically out of recession or fast moving towards this goal.

This, however, does not necessarily mean that consumers in these countries will have an insatiable urge to splash their hard-earned cash on a Mediterranean holiday. Most analysts are predicting that this recovery will not bring a surge in employment. It is more likely that this year unemployment in Britain and mainland Europe will continue to increase.

This country's substantial dependence on the British tourism market makes it more vulnerable. Although sterling has been recovering some of its lost value against the euro, many are predicting that this trend may be reversed as the general election in Britain in May approaches. Economic weaknesses, partly as a result of excessive borrowing by the British government, and political uncertainly that may result from a hung Parliament can put downside pressure on sterling. This will not be good news for our tourism industry.

Other factors that may affect the chances of seeing passenger growth in Malta's sole airport is an increased fear of terrorism that will scare off passengers from travelling. The measures to be taken by MIA to improve security at the airport will be most welcome.

Ultimately, there are other factors beyond Malta's control that will determine how fast we can celebrate a return to economic normality. The price of fuel that has impacted so badly all airlines, including Air Malta, the speed of economic recovery in the US and Europe, the possibility of escalating political tensions and the general mood of consumers worldwide will affect demand for Malta's tourism services.

There are some encouraging indicators that should bode well for the tourism industry. The exceptionally cold winter in most northern European countries should increase demand for holidays in warm countries like Malta. Similarly, the recovery in the financial markets in the second half of 2009 has been quite impressive and this is often a sign of recovery also in the real economy.

While Malta can do little to influence factors that are beyond its control, there is a lot that can be done to ensure that the services offered to visitors at the airport and beyond are never short of being excellent. This is the best strategy for a successful economic take-off.