The Mediterranean is home to one of the most visited tourist destination, Malta. Whether modest or luxury holidays to Malta, visitors will surely be happy with their experience. Annually, about 1.2 million tourists visit the island. By the time the peak season rolls in, the number of tourists is three times more than that of the locals. Luxury hotels, white and golden sand beaches, and other tourist facilities that are at par with high-class destinations are what helped spark the increase in tourists every year.
In recent years, Malta has marketed itself as a primary destination for medical tourism. The region is pretty serious on this, and even private health providers are giving a hand in developing the industry. Most of the medical tourists in Malta are British. However, the Malta tourism board is also marketing the region to the US, Far East, and Latin America.
Malta's transportation system is one of the foundations why it has such a vibrant tourism. Its transportation system is one of the best and most effective there is in the world.
* For an archipelago as small as Malta, it is surprising to see an extensive road network in the island. Malta has a total of 2,254 of roads. 84 percent of it, or around 1,972 kilometers, is paved. The rest are unpaved; however, off-road vehicles can still travel on them.
* It is surprising to note that considering Malta's small size, it has a very high level of car ownership. In fact, its car ownership is the fourth highest in the European Union. In 1990, registered cars in the whole island totalled a whopping 180,000 and it continues to grow year after year. What this means is that there are about 582 cars per square kilometre.
* Touring the whole island is one easy feat. Buses are available in the whole island, which is their primary means of getting around publicly. Bus lines were established in 1905 and undertook a massive reform and rehabilitation in 2011. Drivers who were driving their own transportation where employed by one company and were compensated through public tender. Arriva Malta was the public tender and is now the island's primary bus operator. A fleet of about 264 buses are owned by Arriva. Arriva also operates 2 small buses for intra-Valleta routes. Buses operate day and night.
From 1883 to 1931, a train connecting Mtarfa and Valletta once ran around the island. Following the introduction of modern electric trams and buses, the railway eventually closed. The railway stations were not even in operation prior to the World War 2; rails have long been taken apart then.
* Visitors from other nations land on Malta International Airport that serves as the air hub of the whole archipelago. During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force used the airfield as their base. There used to be a heliport near the area, but it was taken apart in 2006. The heliport is now positioned in Xewkija. Furthermore, two smaller airfields that serve as terminals for small, private aircraft were around; today, they're closed. The Ta' Quali, one of the smaller airfields, now houses a athletic field, a national park, and the Malta Aviation Museum. The museum is a haven for aircraft enthusiasts as it is furnished with real Hurricanes, Spitfires, and other World War 2 aircraft.
* There are three massive harbours on the main island, all natural thanks to Malta's unique location. First, the Grand Harbor features a cruise ship terminal and an extensive number of docks. Second, the Marxsamxett Harbor features a number of marinas for personal yachts. Lastly, the Marsaxlokk Harbor handles cargo ships.
In recent years, Malta has marketed itself as a primary destination for medical tourism. The region is pretty serious on this, and even private health providers are giving a hand in developing the industry. Most of the medical tourists in Malta are British. However, the Malta tourism board is also marketing the region to the US, Far East, and Latin America.
Malta's transportation system is one of the foundations why it has such a vibrant tourism. Its transportation system is one of the best and most effective there is in the world.
* For an archipelago as small as Malta, it is surprising to see an extensive road network in the island. Malta has a total of 2,254 of roads. 84 percent of it, or around 1,972 kilometers, is paved. The rest are unpaved; however, off-road vehicles can still travel on them.
* It is surprising to note that considering Malta's small size, it has a very high level of car ownership. In fact, its car ownership is the fourth highest in the European Union. In 1990, registered cars in the whole island totalled a whopping 180,000 and it continues to grow year after year. What this means is that there are about 582 cars per square kilometre.
* Touring the whole island is one easy feat. Buses are available in the whole island, which is their primary means of getting around publicly. Bus lines were established in 1905 and undertook a massive reform and rehabilitation in 2011. Drivers who were driving their own transportation where employed by one company and were compensated through public tender. Arriva Malta was the public tender and is now the island's primary bus operator. A fleet of about 264 buses are owned by Arriva. Arriva also operates 2 small buses for intra-Valleta routes. Buses operate day and night.
From 1883 to 1931, a train connecting Mtarfa and Valletta once ran around the island. Following the introduction of modern electric trams and buses, the railway eventually closed. The railway stations were not even in operation prior to the World War 2; rails have long been taken apart then.
* Visitors from other nations land on Malta International Airport that serves as the air hub of the whole archipelago. During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force used the airfield as their base. There used to be a heliport near the area, but it was taken apart in 2006. The heliport is now positioned in Xewkija. Furthermore, two smaller airfields that serve as terminals for small, private aircraft were around; today, they're closed. The Ta' Quali, one of the smaller airfields, now houses a athletic field, a national park, and the Malta Aviation Museum. The museum is a haven for aircraft enthusiasts as it is furnished with real Hurricanes, Spitfires, and other World War 2 aircraft.
* There are three massive harbours on the main island, all natural thanks to Malta's unique location. First, the Grand Harbor features a cruise ship terminal and an extensive number of docks. Second, the Marxsamxett Harbor features a number of marinas for personal yachts. Lastly, the Marsaxlokk Harbor handles cargo ships.