Malta Gains New Flights For 2011

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by: Osborne
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Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 Time: 6:35 AM
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Much less reliancy on the British tourist has been an objective of the Maltese government for some time now, and with new flights in 2011 from mainland European countries it should mean more of a diverse mix of visitors for the popular Mediterranean island.

Historically Malta has been reliant on tourism from the UK due to its links as part of the British Empire until the island gained independence in 1964, and is now a member of the Commonwealth.

Some tourists like the fact that the island can almost be England from a bygone era in the Mediterranean, with red letter boxes, friendly policemen, English universally spoken and a fleet of 1950's Leyland buses that make up the public transport system, and are iconic in themselves.

A good number of RAF personnel served on the island until 1974, and the RAF built Luqa Airport, which is now the International Airport. With many having served and spent time in Malta, a good number return for holidays to reminisce but also simply because they grew to love Malta and her people - and with low price Malta package holidays available with tour operators from the UK they are able to return often.

But for new visitors who don't have family or other connections, there's good appeal as a destination - from the UK it's a three hour flight and from wherever someone lives in Europe the flight time is pretty good. There are regular flights from the main UK airports of London Heathrow and Gatwick, and in the north of England from Manchester and Liverpool. Plus regional ones up and down the country making Malta flights accessible for the whole population.

With the major tour operators such as Thomas Cook and Thomson operating their own flights and offering Malta package holidays, there's not just a good choice of flights and hotels available, but prices that will match any Mediterranean island in 2011 - and unlike some the weather is good year round.

The new route from Europe is from Basle in Switzerland, as is convenient not just for Swiss people wanting to visit, but also Germany and France, with the potential of thousands of new tourists for 2011. Operated by Air Berlin it leaves Basle and returns there on a Sunday, meaning most new tourists who use the route will be staying for a week - a good boost for the Malta hotels.

But apart from somewhere new to explore for many, what lies in store for the new Swiss, German and French holidaymakers that might want them to consider visiting again in the future?

Good weather is often what draws first time holidaymakers to the island, but a significant percentage of first timer visitors end up returning not just for the weather. Malta is rich in history, culture and activities which appeal to a wide range of holidaymakers from both the UK and mainland Europe.

The island offers many activities for tourists, no matter what time of year they visit. Boating, cycling, snorkelling, diving, horseback riding and golf are some of the most popular activities enjoyed by those on their trip- and Malta is increasingly becoming well known for the excellent spas, many of them based in good hotels, and offering spa Malta package holidays to those looking for some health and vitality.

Malta is the perfect place for underwater dives and the locals offer diving programmes for all skill levels. Dive sites with a gradual slope are best for beginners, while deeper dives sites require more experience and training. The really adventurous can choose a nighttime dive for a unique view of marine life. There are not only rocky reefs, marine life and ship wrecks - there is also maritime history. People prefer to dive in these areas because of the crystal clear waters that provide amazing visibility. The calm, unpolluted waters allow divers to take in the marine life, a wide variety of flora and flauna, cliffs, caves, arches, rocks, sand, colours, shipwrecks and more.

The new tourists will find plenty to do - or they can just relax and have a good Mediterranean island holiday like many others.

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Cheap flights to Malta with various airlines are accessible at www.yourmalta.com

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