The Malta Tourism Authority kicked off its 2008 consumer fairs participation in the United Kingdom by its London-based Malta Tourist Office taking part in the Holiday and Travel Show at Manchester Central over the weekend of 11-13 January.

During the three day event, thousands of people thronged the arena gathering information about holidays abroad or even in the UK. Malta, Gozo and Comino were predominantly displayed on the stand and this helped to attract hundreds of people who took advantage to collect information for their forthcoming trip or in order to plan prospective holidays to the islands, the MTA said.

On Saturday, Gary Neville, Manchester United and England footballer visited the Malta stand, and signed autographs on Malta booklets and posed for photos with his fans.

Other fairs that the MTO will be taking part in during 2008 are “Destinations” in London and in Birmingham, “Holiday World” in Dublin’ and “The International Holiday & Overseas Property Show” in Bournemouth.