Malta is buzzing. The Mediterranean island has widened its appeal by attracting a younger market, thanks to events such as the annual Isle of MTV festival, which this year saw performances by the Scissor Sisters and Kelis.
The festivals, coupled with Malta’s reputation as a great value destination, are helping operators achieve strong sales. Sensing an opportunity, operators ranging from Attraction World to Explore continue to add to the product mix.
“Couples and families are now recognising that it’s great value, which is why Malta sales are doing well this year,” says Nicky Shafe, marketing manager for Prestige Holidays. “It’s also important to highlight the wide choice of flights to Malta, which makes it easy to arrange any length of stay.
“It’s competitively priced,” adds Emma Yorke, sales manager for Belleair Holidays. “A pint of beer is still less than £2 and a meal with wine and dessert for two adults and two children is roughly £50.”
Here’s a taster of the great variety of breaks on offer.
Sightseeing
Malta’s easy sightseeing has long appealed to empty nesters. It includes St John’s Co-Cathedral and Barracca Gardens, not to mention the Three Cities, open-air markets, designer shopping and the waterfront.
Many of the hotels in Valletta are within easy reach of the major attractions, such as the Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta in Floriana. Sliema is another good spot to be close to the centre of things by day but sheltered from the nightlife in the evening.
Sample product: Classic Collection offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta from £851 per person. classic-collection.co.uk, 0800 008 7288
Family fun
Children will love the 17 sandy beaches, with Mellieha Bay home to one of the best. Many of the hotels have kids clubs – the Dolmen Resort Hotel and Spa even has an animation programme – and some have rooms that sleep two adults and two children, such as the Riu Seabank.
Sample product: Thomas Cook offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Dolmen Resort Hotel from £629 per adult and £219 per child with flights and transfers. thomascookworld.com, 0871 2302399
Romantic breaks
The ancient fortress capital of Valletta, with its cafes, harbour-side dining and narrow alleys, can prove a hit with couples. Good properties to suggest include the Phoenicia Hotel, an historic art deco property situated just outside the city walls.
When you’ve explored Valletta, head for the historic walled city of Mdina, with its forts, palaces and stunning churches. Standout properties here include the Xara Palace, a 17-room boutique hotel.
Sample product: Prestige Holidays has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Phoenicia Hotel from £837 per person including flights and transfers.
prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta, 01425 480400
Active and culture
Malta is a year-round diving destination with a host of sites, including wreck spots and shallow dives, and marine life varying from sea turtles to sharks.
Above the sea, clients can explore dramatic rocky coves and take in fabulous coastal views, not to mention historic villages and markets. New for 2010, Explore has launched a tour that visits a traditional Maltese bakery in Qormi and the wine cellars of Marsovin.
Sample product: Explore’s eight-day discovery tour departs on September 4 and October 2 and 23, costing from £923 per person including flights from Gatwick, transfers, seven nights’ bed and breakfast and a guide. explore.co.uk, 0844 499 0904
Pampering
More than 14 hotels offer spa breaks in Malta, including the Hilton Malta in St Julian’s and the Corinthia Hotel, St George’s Bay. The Apollo spa treatments at the Corinthia Hotel include reflexology massages.
For something new, suggest the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior, just outside Valletta’s 16th-century walls, which has exceptional views of Marsamxett Harbour.
Sample product: Olympic Holidays offers a three-night break at the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior for £557 per person, based on two sharing. olympicholidays.com, 0844 449 4449
Nightlife
There’s been much talk of Malta evolving into an Ibiza-style party capital. While that might be a little way off, you still have a Ministry of Sound nightclub, as well as many glitzy venues in St Julian’s, where accommodation options include the InterContinental Hotel.
Other music venues include the Granaries, Floriana and the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre at Ta Qali.
Sample product: Belleair Holidays has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Primera Hotel in Bugibba from just £379 per person. The price is based on two people sharing and includes flights and transfers. belleair.co.uk/agents, 0845 758 1141
