social tourism in malta

Social tourism in MaltaA Calypso Study

Summary• Malta, a good destination for tourism• Social tourism for Maltese people• Social tourism for European people• Development of products for social tourism

Maltaa good destination for tourism

Where is Malta?

Some Facts

• 3 main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino• Land area: 316 km²

(smaller than Andorra!)• 2 languages: Maltese

and English (Italian and Arabic also)• Population: 409.836

people (2012)

• Medium Age: 40 years old• Per capita GDP (Growth

Domestic Product): USD 25.700 (USD 35.000 in France)• Minimum wage: € 665 (€

1.365 in France)• Unemployment: 6,5%• At risk-of-poverty-line:

€5.477

Analysis of the tourism in Malta

• A central industry inside- 27% of the national GDP- 1.3 Million tourists arrivals (mainly British, German and Italian)- expense average : € 791- high season: summer• Maltese tourists

- 270.000 in 2009 (236.000 in EU)- 65% of Maltese people can’t pay 1 week annual holiday

• Services- Arrivals by plane or ferry- English language- Many accommodations from lower to higher prices- Some units specialized for seniors citizens- Simple access to health services• Lack of Infrastructures

- For Disable people - For seniors

An attractive destination

• For Culture:- a large historical heritage (more than 7.000 years of history)- a mix of different civilizations, religions and buildings

• For landscape:- some beautiful beaches and creeks- snorkeling and diving in the Mediterranean sea- a nice climate- trekking in Gozo

Social tourism for Maltese people

What are the general structures and players for social tourism?

• Malta Tourism Authority: national contact point for Calypso• TSDU (Tourism and Sustainable Development Unit):

depends on the Office of the Prime Minister and deals with policy• Malta Hotels and Restaurant Association (off-season)• Ministry of Social Policy: it provides support to the target

of social tourism (except for the youth)• General Worker’s Union (GWU): this trade union aims to

protect the worker’s rights • Untours Travel Ltd and Travel Malta group: support the

action of GWU by offering good opportunities for holiday for different trade unions (online portal)

Senior Citizens

• Who are they?- 13.5% over 65 years old- 20%: at the risk-of-poverty-level- Duration of stay for Holiday (in EU): 10-15 days for 24% of seniors- No specific barriers for non-participation- Support systems: Ministry for Social Policy and The National Council for Elderly

• What do they want?- No specific constraints nor needs (destination, accommodation, activities, equipment)- The sensitivity to price is high- Preferred period in Summer

Young people

• Who are they?- Age: 13-30 years old- No statistic available- about 17% of the departing tourists: in different EU destinations- Barrier for financial participation- Support systems: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

• What do they want?- No specific constraints- No specific need for destination, accommodation, activities, equipment (but lowest prices)- Sensitivity to price is low- No specific seasonality aspects, except for summer

Families facing difficult circumstances

• Who are they?- No clear statistics: 45.188 families with child allowance, 708 families with disabled child allowance, 2.687 families with family benefit- Main barriers are the school holidays- Support systems: Ministry of Social Policy

• What do they want?- Financial Constraints- Destinations, accommodations and activities centered on children and disabilities, with specific equipment- The sensitivity to price is very high

Adults with disabilities

• Who are they?- 10.226 persons in 2010 with pensions- Duration for stay: 7-15 days (mainly in EU)- No statistic for average spending and participation- Barriers are accessibilities and financial resources- Support systems: Ministry for Social Security and The National Commission Persons with Disability

• What do they want?- Constraints: a very low income, traveling in group, personal assistance- Adapted accommodation- Specific and varied equipment (it depends on the nature of impairment)- The sensitivity to price is high- Preferred periods: summer, Christmas and New year, Easter; off-season

Social tourism for European people

Tourism for the 4 target groups• Young people:

- English language courses- Low price accommodations: hostels, guesthouses…

• Families facing difficult circumstances- Accommodations with very attractive prices- Some adapted accommodations

• Seniors people- Accommodations and restaurant opened in winter season- Climate- Specific centers (Scandinavian)

• Disable people- Some adapted accommodations and transports

Development of products for social tourism

Sustainable tourism

• By developing the tourism in Malta, sustainable tourism is in line with Calypso goals: enhance the low-season and reduce the number of tourists for decreasing the pressure of the high-seasons• Create an eco-certification scheme for the

Maltese hotels• Create constructions to respect the cultural

and nature heritage

Infrastructures and prejudices

• Malta has strong traditions in the field of tourism and could develop the accommodations structures and facilitate the transports for disable and elderly persons• Government has to fight again

prejudice due to the facilities to Disable people in accommodations: some of them think it gives a “hospital-like atmosphere”

Development of web portals

• A Website (http://portal.sestante.net/) is available to give to people of the participating unions the possibility to have a 8-10% discount of the price in comparison with other websites. It includes hotels search, with the field for promotion code. It could be extended in a European project, and attached in more global European portal.• Another Website could propose many offers directed at

the 4 targets: www.visitmalta.com; it could include another section for social tourism.

Thank you for your attention…