Malta

'Global tensions are giving peaceful, inclusive nations the edge in tourism'

The global geopolitical situation is elevating the importance of values-driven travel – this was the message at WTM London panel, Destinations with Heart

Malta succeeds in cutting peak traffic to Blue Lagoon

Introduced on May 1 this year, a new online booking system has succeeded in reducing visitor concentration at the popular yet fragile beauty spot by 68%.

Last year up to 12,000 visitors were recorded at Comino’s Blue Lagoon at any one time during peak hours, and the new free booking system allows a maximum of 4,000 visitors at any one time. Bookings generate a QR code, and wrist bands are issued at entry points.

The average number of visitors at the Blue Lagoon at each of the three daily time slots introduced this summer is 1,979.

The inside story from this year's Top 50 Champions trip

Agents were invited on a fam trip hosted by headline sponsor the Malta Tourism Authority, who found you can make the best plans, but you can't bank on the weather...

'As a new agent, I didn't appreciate the value in escorted touring – but this trip changed my mind'

Carolyn Ellis from Designer Travel explored Malta on a five-day itinerary that was designed by Travelsphere and Just You for agents who had never sold escorted touring

Jet2 releases four million seats as part of largest-ever winter programme

It is launching two new winter routes – Bournemouth to Malaga and Luton to Majorca – while also expanding its Morocco, Malta and Madeira programmes

Agent seals bumper wedding booking following TTG Top 50 Champions trip

La Vida Travel owner Karen Marin Reyes made the booking following the trip to Malta last year – a country she had never visited before

Broadcaster and accessibility advocate Sophie Morgan to moderate Advantage conference

The conference will be held over 13-16 May in Malta

UK regains place as Malta’s number one market after record year for island

UK visitation to Malta grew by nearly a third in 2024 making it the Mediterranean island’s number one source market

Malta hopeful of converting Gozo day trips into longer stays with new airfield

A new rural airfield will open in Gozo in late-2026 which Gozo’s tourism authorities hope will allow it to convert traditional day trippers into longer-stay tourists

TTG's Top 50 Champions take over Malta

The Mediterranean island destination showcased its culinary, historical and cultural highlights on an exclusive fam trip.

The Top 50 Champions share Malta fam highlights and selling tips

Every year the TTG Top 50 Travel Agent Champions take a fam trip to celebrate their success and get to know a destination better. In 2024, the group travelled to Malta, to discover its culinary, historical and cultural highlights

EasyJet expands Malta programme with new Liverpool route

The route will operate on Tuesdays and Sunday, throughout the year starting from 10 December 2024

New Jet2 routes take off from Birmingham and Edinburgh airports

The airline and operator will serve Montenegro from BHX for the first time this summer, while Edinburgh has gained its first Jet2 service to Malta

Ainsley Harriott: ‘I didn’t expect that of Malta!’

With Ainsley Harriott’s new five-part TV series Ainsley’s Taste of Malta airing this week (5-9 February), Madeleine Barber catches up with the chef to discover why he thinks the destination deserves the spotlight – and your customers’ bookings

Maltese adventure awaits agents on Top 50 Champions Trip

A dive into Malta’s adventure, gastronomic and cultural experiences awaits agents joining this year’s TTG Top 50 Champions Trip in June

How Napoleon’s box office boom will benefit Malta’s tourism industry

The destination’s tourist board hopes Hollywood’s latest epic historical drama will bring blockbuster visitation figures to the island.

Ryanair to launch flights from Norwich next summer

Budget carrier will offer routes to Alicante, Faro and Malta

Watch: Malta focuses on screen tourism, art and events for 2024

TTG speaks to Tolene van der Merwe, Visit Malta’s director for the UK and Ireland at WTM

Malta ahead of schedule in pandemic recovery after 'hugely positive year'

Malta’s tourism sector is on track to recover from the Covid pandemic a year early than anticipated, with 2023 visitor levels set to surpass the record highs seen in 2019

Visit Malta relaunches agent training and fam programme

Marketing promotions manager Lindsey Thorpe said on Wednesday (18 October) the new courses and the fam programme show “our dedication to supporting hard-working agents”

Balkan Holidays announces two new destinations for 2024

Malta and northern Cyprus added to 2024 programme

The massive party that celebrates everything Malta stands for

Peter Green, the Malta Tourism Authority’s trade trainer for UK & Ireland, explains why EuroPride has been such a significant event for the island to host.

Storm Daniel prompts FCDO weather warning for Italy, Greece and Malta

Several major Med destinations hit by storm, which has brought heavy rain and flash flooding

Malta specialist Belleair Holidays to be revived by JTA parent

Senior JTA Travel Group executive Dave Green will take on the role of managing director of Belleair