Air Malta reports a 7.5 percent increase in U.S. passengers that traveled to Malta in 2010, over 2009, attributing much of the U.S. tourist sector growth to their 2010 travel agent outreach initiatives. Additionally, Malta reports that the total number of inbound tourists in 2010 reached a new all-time high of over 1.3 million visitors, as well as a 22 percent year over year increase in total tourist expenditures estimated at approximately $1.5 billion (1.1 billion euros).
Air Malta attributes much of the U.S. tourist sector growth to their 2010 travel agent outreach initiatives, which included commission and net-rate booking incentives, FAM trip opportunities and the creation of several air/hotel-inclusive travel packages from the U.S. to the Maltese Islands.
To increase awareness of Malta as a premier Mediterranean travel destination to the U.S. market, Air Malta will continue their travel agent outreach initiatives throughout 2011 – offering net airline rates, special destination packages and promotions as well as tiered commission options for agents based on bookings, the airline said.
The airline will also be increasing their 2011 U.S. travel tradeshow presence – attending both the upcoming Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show in March as well as the Faith Travel Conference & Expo held in Atlanta, Georgia this May.
In 2010, Air Malta unveiled “The Malta Guide” (www. themaltaguide.com) - a state-of-the-art virtual destination guide designed to help travel professionals get their clients to visit the Maltese Islands from the comfort of their homes or travel agent offices. The Malta Guide offers recommendations, video diaries, practical travel advice and “best of Malta” lists to provide toursts with useful information and advice for traveling to Malta. The Malta Guide provides travel agents with expert destination knowledge and with virtual tools to help promote and sell this exotic Mediterranean destination to U.S. travelers seeking an extraordinary winter escape.
For Ipod users, The Malta Tourism Board has just released the VISITMALTA Destination app. The VisitMalta destination app is comprehensive mobile guide to the Maltese Islands providing general information, facts, activities, an interactive map and an updated calendar of events. The application is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Version 1.1 is available in English and German and requires iOS 4.1 or later. It is available for free download from http://itunes.apple.com/mt/app/visit-malta/id384601563?mt=8.
Air Malta operates a fleet of aircraft to over 50 destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, with 200 flights a week. The carrier remains Malta’s premier airline, offering an extensive choice of air services from a variety of locations to/from Malta International Airport.
Visit www.airmalta.com.