The Malta Tourism Authority is working to assure potential tourists that Malta has not been directly affected by the turmoil in Libya and it is safe to visit.

The Authority is planning advertising campaigns in the wake of media coverage showing Malta at the heart of the Libyan workers evacuation effort.

Last week, The Times Business reported that the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta had seen a few cancellations. FELTOM said it had had to reassure agents that daily life in Malta had not been affected by the evacuations.

The Malta Tourism Authority has already sent clarification letters to hotels and destination management companies following information that groups had enquired about the situation in Malta.

The Authority explained how Malta's geographical position had led it to feature prominently in international news related to Libya crisis.

“The letters explain that the crisis in Libya does not affect, in any way, safety in Malta and that day-to-day life in our country has remained unchanged,” the official added. “Malta is the choice of many countries as a transit point for the expats who had been working in Libya and are now leaving Libya, precisely because it is a safe haven. It was also made clear to groups that tourists visiting Malta are still arriving and departing without any problems, and that no inconvenience has been caused to tourists in Malta,” an MTA spokesman said.