| Property prices on the Mediterranean island of Malta | | | | the rising prices of property in Malta, and with less |
| have risen again, and according to overseas property | | | | overseas buyers the possibility of prices falling and |
| specialists Tribune Properties, there is no end in sight | | | | more islanders being able to get on the property |
| yet to any downturn in the market. | | | | ladder could be welcome news, as today's tourist is |
| Recent government figures showed a sixteen per | | | | often tomorrow's property buyer. |
| cent rise in the year to March 2006. | | | | But there has been speculation for some time now |
| Tribune Properties say that the demand for property | | | | that low cost airlines are going to start offering |
| in Malta remains bouyant from the UK, US, Australian | | | | flights to Malta, and this will help the Malta hotels and |
| and European mainland markets, and predict a further | | | | holiday market as more people consider three and |
| ten per cent rise in the coming year. | | | | four day breaks instead of the traditional week or |
| 'We normally see a drop off in enquiries a few | | | | fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, |
| months before any price levelling' explains Tribune's | | | | especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring |
| Managing Director Roger Munns, 'But demand for | | | | the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the |
| Malta this year is every bit as strong as 2005 and at | | | | Spanish islands. |
| the moment we can only see prices going one way | | | | Malta has traditionally seen the majority of her |
| in the short term at least - and that's up'. | | | | visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to a |
| The Malta government is expected to allow | | | | more diverse mix in future years. |
| developers to utilise more land for building, but | | | | Last year saw a record number of visitors from Italy, |
| Tribune see this as a negative rather than a positive | | | | and increased enquiries have been received at estate |
| move. | | | | agents across the island from Scandanvia, Holland, |
| 'Malta is an island with a finite amount of land, and | | | | France and Belgium, helping to increase the demand |
| while the Malta government view releasing more land | | | | for Malta properties. |
| for building, and more properties as the answer to | | | | A new 'Smart City' is also being planned which could |
| increasing property prices, we believe this is the | | | | see Malta competing with the rest of Europe as a |
| wrong approach', say Tribune, ' and in the end more | | | | business destination for internet and other high-tech |
| developments could have an adverse impact on | | | | companies. English is spoken fluently in Malta, and |
| Malta's economy. | | | | coupled with relatively low salaries locally it is hoped |
| Tourism is an important industry for Malta, and | | | | that inward investment and 5000 new jobs will help |
| tourists aren't impressed by cranes and construction | | | | the Maltese economy which in turn will boost the |
| work while they're trying to relax or go to see | | | | property, hotel and holiday markets. |
| Malta's historical sights, and if it's a first visit to the | | | | 'Malta is at a turning point at the moment', conclude |
| island there's an increased chance that it will be their | | | | YourMalta, 'and whether the next few years will |
| last, losing the Malta holidays industry repeat business.' | | | | pave the way for economic prosperity or gloom |
| Malta Holidays | | | | remains to be seen'. |
| There has been some discontent on the island about | | | | |