| Recently announced news that low cost airlines | | | | from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look |
| are to fly to Malta has given the Mediterranean | | | | at Malta in the same way they do France and |
| island's property industry hope that 2007 could be | | | | Spain when considering where to buy a holiday |
| an exceptional year for price rises and sales. | | | | home abroad. The Malta weather and low fares |
| In recent years the arrival of low cost - | | | | could be a magnet for buyers.' |
| sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a | | | | There is a warning however from the travel guide |
| regional airport has seen property prices within a | | | | that property prices on the island might not |
| two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, | | | | necessarily escalate in the same way that regions |
| especially among British buyers for France and | | | | of France have seen when low cost airlines have |
| Spain. | | | | started flying to their region. |
| With the advent of these flights to Malta, there is | | | | 'The Malta government has allowed more land to |
| a possibility that demand for property in Malta will | | | | be used for property, and we anticipate a lot |
| increase. | | | | more apartment blocks being built short and |
| Commenting on the news, a Malta holidays guide | | | | medium term. Supply might well meet demand. |
| suggest that a double digit property inflation figure | | | | Unless the political map of Malta changes and with |
| for Malta is quite possible for 2007. | | | | it a change of policy towards her environment, |
| 'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a | | | | there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower |
| magnet for UK property investors, and if that | | | | Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain |
| trend continues then prices will go up in the next | | | | where development spoiled much of the coast.' |
| twelve to twenty four months', they say. | | | | Concern has also been expressed on the island |
| 'Other than the local market, the UK provides | | | | about the infrastructure, with some tourists and |
| most buyers for property in Malta, and with the | | | | potential property investors berating the state of |
| British economy doing well it's quite possible that | | | | the roads and - compared to mainland European |
| the island will be seen as a good investment | | | | and UK standards - dangerous construction sites. |
| opportunity'. | | | | 'The real winners from the low cost flights could |
| Malta Holidays | | | | be the Malta hotels rather than the property |
| One UK company specialising in property for sale | | | | industry', conclude the guide. 'We envisage a lot |
| in Malta, agree that property prices could rise in | | | | more people taking short three and four day |
| 2007. | | | | holidays to Malta, often booking their flights and |
| 'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination | | | | hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional |
| viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year | | | | high street travel agent'. |