I am a very regular visitor to Malta, often visiting four or five times a year for the last 30 years. I love the place, obviously. I read The Times daily via the internet and I notice the regular articles about how tourism is declining, especially the British market.

I have been researching accommodation prices for 2010 and find that most hotels are not bookable yet on the internet sites that I use. I asked myself why, so I telephoned a couple of hotels that I often use in Sliema for prices. I found out why. The room rates I was quoted had gone up quite significantly. One two-star hotel quoted me €30 per person per night for bed and breakfast. One three-star hotel quoted me €48 per person per night bed and breakfast. Very expensive.

The hoteliers in Malta need to look at their pricing policy. In comparison, I only paid €28 per night half board at an equivalent three-star hotel in Blackpool, UK with sea views in peak season. For that I got an English breakfast and a five-course evening meal. The hotel had an indoor pool and two cabaret rooms providing three quality acts each night. Hoteliers in the UK are fighting back to attract holiday-makers to stay in Britain.

Personally, I prefer to go to Malta for the sunshine and to see my many friends. As a bonus next year, thanks to good old Air Malta, I will return with flights cheaper than so-called cheap airline Ryanair. Hoteliers should take note of Air Malta's lower prices. If the airline can do it, surely the hotels can.