| Flying times of over three hours from their main | | | | possibility of increased property sales to overseas |
| market has always meant Malta has a starting | | | | buyers becomes more of a reality. |
| disadvantage compared to her main holiday | | | | One UK company dealing with property in Malta |
| competitors of Spain and her islands. | | | | thinks that property prices could rise in 2007. |
| But Malta does appeal to visitors from the British | | | | 'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination |
| Isles who want a holiday in the Mediterranean with | | | | viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year |
| a location that speaks English and drives on the | | | | from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look |
| left. | | | | at Malta in the same way they do France and |
| And for this both the islands of Malta and Cyprus | | | | Spain when considering where to buy a holiday |
| fit the bill. | | | | home abroad. The Malta weather and low fares |
| Malta is a slightly shorter flying time from the UK | | | | could be a magnet for buyers.' |
| than Cyprus, but critically the UK has a large | | | | There is a warning however from a Malta tourist |
| Greek Cypriot community able to urge friends | | | | guide that property prices on the island might not |
| and work colleagues to take a first holiday to the | | | | necessarily escalate in the same way that regions |
| island. | | | | of France have seen when low cost airlines have |
| But importantly Cyprus has beaten Malta on price | | | | started flying to their region. |
| in recent years, and a recent report by the World | | | | 'The Malta government has allowed more land to |
| Economic Forum indicates that 2007 will see no | | | | be used for property, and we anticipate a lot |
| change. Indeed the report says that as well as | | | | more apartment blocks being built short and |
| Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Spain are all set to | | | | medium term. Supply might well meet demand. |
| be cheaper for UK holidaymakers than Malta this | | | | Unless the Malta map changes politically and with it |
| year. | | | | a change of policy towards her environment, |
| The new report says as well as price, Malta's | | | | there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower |
| environment acts as a deterrent to many | | | | Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain |
| potential tourists. | | | | where development spoiled much of the coast.' |
| The report comes as a surprise to many on the | | | | Concern has also been expressed on the island |
| island as low cost flights started in November | | | | about the infrastructure, with some tourists and |
| 2005 from London's Luton Airport, and in | | | | potential property investors berating the state of |
| February from Dublin with Ryannair, while | | | | the roads and - compared to mainland European |
| competitor Air Malta have a new route from | | | | and UK standards - dangerous construction sites. |
| Liverpool. | | | | 'The real winners from the low cost flights could |
| 85,000 extra tourists could be visiting Malta in | | | | be the Malta hotels rather than the property |
| 2007 due to the new low cost routes, and | | | | industry', conclude the guide. 'We envisage a lot |
| anything below this figure will be disappointing for | | | | more people taking short three and four day |
| the island's hotels and holidays industry. | | | | Malta holidays, often booking their flights and |
| House Price Rise | | | | hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional |
| With the arrival of more holidaymakers, the | | | | high street travel agent office'. |