After some years of a declining tourist market, Malta is seeing a revival in mainstream tourism. A major role was played when the government accepted low-cost flights from main UK and Irish markets, with Ryanair starting flights from London in November last year, and this March from Dublin.

This was announced by the recently set up tourism web portal paradisemalta.com yesterday.

Ryanair services and Air Malta ran a successful campaign for “cheap flights to Malta” deals, and from May launched a new route from Liverpool to Malta. Further visitors are expected from Spain and Germany, following agreements with airlines to provide cheap Malta flights outside Malta’s traditional market.

The extra visitor numbers are being boosted by more media coverage in Malta’s traditional core market of the United Kingdom, with daily and Sunday newspapers featuring Malta more as a suggested location for a holiday.

The internet is also playing a vital role in promoting Malta to potential tourists. According to a paradisemalta.com spokesman, the number of enquiries from international journalists asking for information about Malta in the first six months of 2007 is up significantly from 2006.

But there could be a bigger boost for Malta in the autumn if discussions concerning a British TV soap come to fruition. Local media in Malta reported recently that talks were taking place with Britain’s favourite TV soap, Coronation Street, about filming episodes in Malta. Viewing figures in the UK are normally around ten million viewers per episode.

“The more Malta is mentioned on the internet, the more likely it is that the island will be considered. We are aiming to promote Malta to levels achieved by Cyprus soon. We intend to stop promoting Malta only as a summer destination. We want tourists to come to Malta all year round,” said a paradisemalta.com spokesman.

Potential tourists looking for information on Malta on the internet are taken on a virtual journey around the magnificence of the Maltese islands. They can explore hidden gems around Malta and Gozo and are given a feel of what they can find when they decide to visit the islands.

For more information visit www.paradisemalta.com