One of the turn-offs specifically cited in the report was the “concrete jungles” that sprouted across the Costa Brava in the 1970s and 1980s: a situation analogous to our own market.

Maltese tourists are also moving away from the Costa Brava as a holiday destination and the number heading for the once-popular sunspot has declined progressively over the years. Martin Degiorgio, managing director of Mondial Airtours told The Malta Independent on Sunday that compared with Andalusia and Mallorca, the number of tourists visiting Costa Brava has gone down considerably. Mr Degiorgio said that groups travelling to Spain in the next few weeks include 48 people visiting Andalusia, another 48 to Mallorca and just 25 to the Costa Brava.

The downward trend was particularly visible in the past two years. Mr Degiorgio said that two years ago they had 10 groups going to the Costa Brava in the summer followed by four groups last year and just two groups this year.

However, Spanish tourists seem to be coming to Malta in greater numbers, and the outlook for this year seems much brighter, especially in the five-star market. Robert Pullicino from P.A. Sullivan confirmed that there is a growing interest in Malta among Spaniards. The next few months should confirm this trend, with five-star hotels showing good bookings in the immediate and foreseeable future.

Jim Hamilton, also from Sullivan’s, did not report any considerable decline in Maltese tourists visiting Spain although he admitted that the company does not have much interest in this market.

The Malta Independent on Sunday also investigated the issue of low cost flights and their effect on local demand. Martin Degiorgio said although the advertised price of Lm23 for a one-way ticket is being touted, it is actually extremely difficult to get seats to Stansted at the price advertised. In fact, Mr Degiorgio told this newspaper, more often than not, the price for these much publicised bargain seats shoots up steeply.

P. A. Sullivan also reported an active interest in these bargain flights. However, if the British example is cited, most tourists now prefer to take a holiday at home using the cheap low cost “no frills” airlines than going to Spain or Malta. Blackpool and other resorts are upgrading their act to cash in on this new trend.

Eventually, this could also lead to a decline in the British market to Malta.