| The 2007 Malta Air Show is expected to be the best | | | | Holidays In Malta |
| yet, with display teams from across Europe, the US | | | | After some years of a declining tourist market, Malta |
| and possibly Canada participating. | | | | has been boosted by the arrival of low cost flights |
| The air show traditionally comes late in the Malta | | | | from London and Dublin, traditionally important |
| holidays season, and is a welcome late boost for the | | | | markets for the island. |
| island's tourist industry with aviation enthusiasts | | | | Before the flights to Malta started arriving in |
| descending for the weekend. | | | | November from London Luton, and in February from |
| Despite some complaints from residents about noise | | | | Dublin, the depressed Malta holidays market was in |
| and safety levels, the air show does produce publicity | | | | danger of being relegated from a mainstream travel |
| and income for the holiday and Malta hotels industry, | | | | destination to niche status, but the Ryanair flights |
| which in previous years has been a welcome addition | | | | have helped to start a turnaround. |
| to the island's fortunes as visitor numbers have | | | | Estimates suggest that an extra 80,000 visitors could |
| slipped away. | | | | visit Malta in 2007, bringing a real boost to the hotels |
| The 2006 event was a truly international one, as well | | | | in Malta and the island's economy overall. |
| as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the | | | | 'When Malta is accessible,' comment a local detsination |
| French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish all had planes | | | | guide, 'Then holidaymakers will come. It's not just the |
| and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air | | | | weather in Malta, but the history and a friendly |
| Force and US Air Force. | | | | people that draws people.' |
| Among the planes taking part were two Alpha jets | | | | The increase in visitor numbers could see property |
| from France, one of which performed an aerial | | | | price rises, with two international estate agents who |
| display, six F-16's with two Dutch F-16's flying, and | | | | deal with Malta real estate predicting a ten per cent |
| from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with | | | | rise in property values for 2007. |
| one of the Harriers undertaking an aerial | | | | As with most popular holiday destinations, a |
| demonstration. | | | | percentage of tourists decide to buy a property in an |
| Pick up points from around the island are available for | | | | area they like, and Malta is no exception. |
| spectators wishing to attend the show, and on | | | | The advantage Malta has for UK and Irish visitors is |
| previous occasions this has led to heavy traffic in and | | | | that they drive on the same side of the road and |
| around the event, again making some local residents | | | | English is spoken, and for non British Isles visitors |
| none too happy about the event. | | | | Malta has well known language schools where they |
| While the organisers might have been able to | | | | can learn English. |
| justifiably claim in the past that the air show formed | | | | A 2 bedroom apartment in the popular Malta holiday |
| an important event in the calendar of tourist events | | | | resort of Qawra is currently on the market for LM |
| drawing extra visitors to the hotels in Malta, more | | | | 72,000, and a three bedroom two bathroom |
| conventional aircraft have reduced the value of this | | | | apartment in equally popular Mellieha for LM 138,000. |
| for 2007. | | | | |