| New official statistics show that over 65,000 | | | | other areas of Europe, which would help the language |
| foreigners visited Malta in 2006, with the figure set to | | | | schools increase their numbers even more. |
| increase for this year. | | | | Before the new flights began last November, |
| The rise in overseas students learning English is the | | | | estimates suggested that the low cost airline could |
| fourth rise in as many years, and increasingly plays a | | | | add an extra 80,000 tourists to the island in 2007, |
| contributory role to the island's economy. The | | | | but this figure has been radically upgraded to double |
| language schools in Malta are privately run, with no | | | | that. |
| subsidy from central government. | | | | The airline that first brought low cost airlines to Malta |
| Speaking at the opening of a language school, the | | | | has done well enough to start new routes to the |
| minister for tourism commented that the learning of | | | | island. |
| English is one of Malta's main tourism segments that | | | | Ryanair, the Irish based low cost airline, were the |
| contribute significantly to the island's tourism industry. | | | | first airline to win the right to fly to Malta from the |
| He added that this sector is run by private enterprise | | | | island's main markets for tourism of Ireland and the |
| since all English language schools are privately owned | | | | UK. |
| and offer not only work for full time and part-time | | | | The first route launched has been running between |
| teachers but are also a source of revenue to host | | | | London's Luton Airport for nearly a year, while the |
| families. | | | | Dublin route had its inaugural flight in March. Both |
| With many students counting their time in Malta in | | | | routes have attracted good seat occupancy levels, |
| months rather than the weeks from traditional | | | | with tourist numbers in Malta rising. |
| tourism, a student studying English is particularly | | | | A new route will run between Bremen in Germany to |
| valuable for the economy. | | | | Malta and will be a welcome addition for Malta's |
| The increase in foreign language students visiting | | | | attempt to attract more German tourists to the |
| Malta to learn English is being partly driven by the | | | | island. |
| opening of new routes from various countries to | | | | Operating three times a week, it is hoped that the |
| Malta, including low cost airlines. | | | | first flights will begin in the autumn. |
| The overall number of visitors including the language | | | | Not only has the choice of airline and airports serving |
| students for Malta is up nearly ten per cent this year, | | | | Malta widened considerably, but the airline of choice |
| thanks mainly to the extra arrivals being delivered by | | | | for many business and holiday travellers, Air Malta, |
| the low cost airlines. And the extra holiday makers | | | | has fought back against the new low cost airlines |
| couldn't have come at a better time as the island has | | | | with reduced fares and offers of their own. |
| seen steadily decreasing tourists numbers in recent | | | | In their traditional market of flights from the UK to |
| years - the ultimate factor in the decision to allow | | | | Malta, the airline started a new route from Liverpool's |
| the flights in. | | | | John Lennon airport in May, serving the north-west |
| With tourism numbers up, tourism chiefs have seen | | | | of England. |
| the magic bullet that has driven the statistics, and | | | | As part of their offensive to retain current |
| embraced the concept of low air fares whole | | | | passengers and to tempt new ones to use the airline, |
| heartedly. | | | | Air Malta are offering clients the opportunity to book |
| While Malta has previously received most of their | | | | flights in advance for this autumn and winter with |
| visitors from the UK, the idea of diversification has | | | | prices starting from around 20 Euros (around US $25). |
| become possible as low cost airlines operate from | | | | Which is all good news for new students wanting to |
| most European countries, and the island is already | | | | learn English at Malta's schools, but also for the |
| receiving flights from Germany and Spain. | | | | schools themselves which are proving to be an island |
| The country has let it be known that they will | | | | success story. |
| welcome applications for flights from Scandanavia and | | | | |