Potent charms of Malta
GOOD NEWS for prospective travellers to Malta. Exchange Travel (of Hastings) have announced tempting revised rates on their 50 hotels and apartment blocks across the island for the 1982 summer programme.
This is a welcome development. Rates have been unrealistic in Malta for some time. It is hard to account for this fact, it is just something that seems carelessly to have been allowed to happen and the tourist traffic to Malta, especially from the United Kingdom has fallen off sharply of recent years.
The islands charms remain as potent as ever, however, and the unilateral action by Exchange should encourage other operators to follow suit.
The benefit of the newly negotiated price reductions will even apply to those who may have already booked an Exchange holiday to Malta.
One of the things found most attractive about Malta is the atmosphere engendered by the extremely friendly inhabitants.
Their Christianity is instantly obvious but not obtrusive. It blends, as religion should, into everyday life of which it is a necessary part.
Some people, indeed, go to Malta expressly for its religious festivals which are rich with local colour and history as well as specifically religious character.
Next week will be Carnival week in the island's capital, Valletta, while the "Mnarja" (folk festival) will be held in the last week of June. The latter is an all night traditional fiesta with folk music, dancing and singing.
There are no less than 30 festivals held in the summer months. Something is always going on • fact in Malta,-But it is also an island where you can find peace and leisure in numerous delightful hideaway corners.
Now could be the time, with fares at last comingdown to sensible levels, to investigate a trip to Malta and — or Gozo.
The Malta Government Tourist Office in the United Kingdom is at Malta House, Haymarket, London, WI.