It is common consensus that the decision to open up Malta to the low cost carrier market has reaped dividends. If it was not for the introduction of low cost carriers a few years back, Malta’s tourist arrivals would have suffered terribly during the global economic crisis which hit home in late 2008 and throughout 2009.

The reason for the mitigation of impact was the simple fact that there were many more seats available to Malta from catchment areas which had previously never been serviced. This included traditional visitors such as people from the UK and Germany’s not so well known airports, but also many new markets such as Dublin, Girona, Trapani and others.

The results of the introduction of so many new routes have only really begun to be felt this year, with bumper arrival numbers apart from a disastrous April due to the eruption of the Icelandic volcano which saw thousands of flights being cancelled across Europe.

The arrivals which we have experienced so far this year are certainly encouraging, as professed by the MHRA, but there is another challenge, and that is to fill the extra seats which are on offer. We have no doubt that these seats will be filled – although yesterday’s announcement of the UK’s tough budget has set off a few worries, given that the UK is still our main tourist market.

PS Mario de Marco, in charge of tourism, has already stated that Malta’s next challenge is to fill the increased seat capacity which is available this year. Failure to do so will result in routes being stopped – low cost carriers do not have the same scruples that legacy carriers have. If a route is not profitable, it is axed – no questions asked, end of story.

It is positive to note that this challenge has been recognised and that there is a marketing drive going on in all the catchment areas to attract more people to the islands for a holiday.

Provided we succeed in our goal to fill the capacity increases, there is another challenge which is further ahead in the future. As mentioned, if we do attract the numbers which we are anticipating, it is fair to assume that low cost carriers will increase their routes further next season, and the season after that.

And this is why we need to think ahead in terms of infrastructure. The Malta International Airport has already done it in upgrading its apron and taxiway facilities to allow for quicker turnaround of aircraft and runway capacity. But of course, the infrastructure of the whole country needs to keep pace.

When we speak about infrastructure, we do not simply mean energy generation and sewer management. It extends to all facets, including room availability, alternative accommodation such as village core bed and breakfast, things to do, access to historical sites and much, much more.

In a sense, there has already been some movement – taxis and public transport are also essential to the tourist and there is of course reform in the pipeline. But there are many more areas that need attention – beach fronts, diving sites, historical and architectural attractions, the levels of service we offer, filling beds during the shoulder months and more.

We have upgraded our tourism product in terms of attractions, now it is time to crack on with the infrastructure. It would be useless to be able to attract 2 million tourists and not be able to service their needs. The current situation of constant monitoring, dialogue between all partners and open discussion needs to be fostered and continued.