IN FOCUS
Malta has something for all: from city
breaks with culture and history to activity breaks with diving or music festivals
grounds and a swimming pool; tourists can join the club on a weekly basis. Although Malta isn’t famous for its beaches, there are spots for sun worshippers. The rocks around Sliema and St Julian’s are covered in brightly- coloured towels when the sun shines, and for sandy beaches there’s Ghadira Bay in Mellieha and Ghajn Tuffi eha, Gnejna Bay, Golden Bay and Paradise Bay – popular with young people for beach parties – in the western reaches. Gozo’s Ramla Bay is perhaps the best, a large stretch of bright-orange sand backed by countryside and spiky cactuses and the mythical Calypso’s Cave. Smaller beaches are found at the pretty fi shing villages of Xlendi and Marsalforn, which are also well served by quayside restaurants and bars. Little laid-back sister Gozo will best
suit those looking to get away from it all. As soon as you arrive on the smaller island, with its quiet villages and secluded bays, you pick up a very different vibe to Malta.
Gozo’s Ggantija temples are the world's oldest free-standing religious structures, pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge. Popular on this rural island are villa stays, but the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a top choice for more discerning clients.
Malta What’s New Malta specialist Belleair Holidays has
formed a series of new partnerships with Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson, in addition to an increased distribution of easyJet fl ights, all of which have opened up new regional hubs around the country. Belleair's portfolio now includes 13
regional airports in the UK, including Belfast, Glasgow and Liverpool. New products to Belleair’s brochure for the winter season include two new four-star hotels – The Rocca Nettuno Suites and Hotel Argento – and a selection of fi ve- star luxury villas on Gozo that include The Hamlet & Djar Ta Menjza. The online training programme LEARN MALTA (www.learnmalta. org) was re-launched this year with fresh information. The fi ve modules consist of: General Information, City and Culture Breaks, Gozo, Luxury and Wellness and Active Breaks. Each features audiovisual material and downloadable promotional brochures.
tourismtalk
Alex Incorvaja Director, Malta Tourism Authority, UK and Ireland "The MTA can provide
agents with promotional window
displays, promotional literature featuring a wide range of activites to suit all kinds of traveller, DVDs, image resources and information packs to assist clients. "Our destination training employs many different mediums including fam trips, in-house product training, online training and road-shows.”
asktheoperators Photis Lambrianides
commercial director, Olympic Holidays “We now offer Malta as
both a summer and winter destination. It appeals to short-breakers and empty- nesters, as well as the retired market, couples and families.
It’s increasingly attracting younger visitors who have discovered Malta’s nightlife, while the active are fi nding the diving is fi rst-rate. "There's a real familiarity about Malta and that reassures the prospective visitor, with its use of English, driving on the left and much of its cuisine. Malta adopted the Euro three years ago but prices compare favourably with home.
“New for 2011, the fi ve-star Phoenicia close to Valletta is being sold as a wedding venue. Other wedding
venues include Dolmen Resort, InterContinental, Fortina and Grand Hotel Excelsior.”
FACTFILE 23
Where to Book It Olympic Holidays
0844 499 4449
www.olympicholidays.com Seven nights' B&B at the three-star Alexandra Hotel in lively St Julian's is £355pp, sharing a double room, in September 2011. Includes return fl ights from Gatwick and transfers.
Explore
0844 499 0904;
www.explore.co.uk The Malta and Gozo Discovery tour costs from £946pp including return fl ights, seven nights’ b&b and guiding. Highlights include two days in Gozo, including the Dwerja coast and megalithic temples, a walking tour of old Valletta, a boat tour of the Grand Harbour and Three Cities, and Mdina.
Belleair Holidays 0845 365 3412
www.belleair.co.uk/agents Seven nights at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, in a deluxe room on a B&B basis (based on two adults sharing) costs from just £619pp. Price
includes fl ights with easyJet from Liverpool, plus transfers, 20kg baggage allowance and taxes. Based on a departure date of October 11 2011.
Check out our juicy bits at
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Our new-look website includes:
Daily sales tips from industry experts • Photo galleries of trade events • The industry’s best competitions and giveaways • An upcoming events calendar • Plus instant access to the latest training news, Travel Uni, our digital magazines and a wide range of destination sales guides
Check out our new-look site and you could win some shopping vouchers! Simply tell us what you think of the site via a link on the homepage and you’ll be entered into a draw to win some great high street shopping vouchers.
www.shortbreaksholidays.com • July/August 2011 09
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