One of the most popular summer holiday destinations for tourists is the Mediterranean island of Malta (Europe). Car hire in Malta is affordable and is a much more practical alternative to local public transport.

The travel world is changing - up until recently the best way to get a good deal for a holiday was to book late and pick up a bargain. But with travel companies wanting revenue now, deep discounts are being offered to those who book next year's holiday early.

Malta has been a favourite winter holiday destination for some years, but now the island is hoping to attract high spenders for a weekend or longer.

Between January 2008 and October 2008, a total of 496,283 passengers arrived in Malta. The island continues to set new records each year and the number of cruise ship passengers in 2009 is expected to rise yet again.

Malta is the perfect place for a family holiday because the Maltese truly value children and family. It also has the largest family units in Europe.

The days of easy travel abroad have been over for a while now, with frequent long queues at passport control and baggage checks making air travel in particular a chore more than a joy.

Hotels throughout the world have come to the realization that they must strive to be environmentally friendly.

Malta adopted the Euro as her official currency in January, and reports suggest it could see holidays rise in price as the Maltese convert their currency to the Euro.

Recent news of another airline joining the race for the flight to Malta market has put pressure on the low cost airlines already operating to the holiday island to further reduce their prices to stay ahead of their competition - all good news for consumers and the Malta hotels and holidays industry as peoplke start looking ahead and booking for summer 2008.

European holiday destination Malta has enjoyed a revival in the number of British people visiting the Mediterranean holiday island since low cost flights were introduced last year. Hotel and holiday bookings have been up for the first time in a number of years, and Malta's traditional market has rediscovered the island as a holiday destination.