The global tourism industry has stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while it's an uncertain future ahead for many tourism-related businesses, Malta's overall forecast may be more linear than most.
Malta's tourism figures were slashed by more than half in March according to a TVM article, and airport traffic dropped by a shocking 99.6% in April according to a seperate article.
However, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli has high hopes for post-COVID-19 Malta to bounce back and has launched a campaign to draw the world's attention to the beauty and Mediterranean charm of the Maltese islands. Given the slogan 'dream now, travel later,' promotional footage has gained the attention of many, with many travellers sharing their plans to visit Malta once the airport reopens.
Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit also shared similar hopes on Times of Malta's #TimesTalk podcast, claiming that the number of people who had postponed their flights to Malta rather than get a refund was an encouraging factor that highlighted Malta's popularity with tourists.
No indication has been given as to when Malta's airport will re-open as health authorities take a gradual and calculated approach in easing restrictions. One thing's for certain, the world definetely needs a good holiday after all of this is over!