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With visitor numbers static in recent years and facing new competiton from former eastern Bloc countries offering cheap holidays, the recent announcement by the Maltese government that negotiations were at an advanced stage with two low cost airlines has sparked hopes that the island will see a rise in visitor numbers, much to the relief of some in the tourist industry worried about the future of Malta as a holiday destination.

Even before the new carriers to the island land the existing airlines have been offering return flights at prices seemingly much lower than in the past to try and hold on to their share of the market.

According to one local on-line travel guide the airline negotiations have been tempered with the need for the islands government to see that the national carrier, Air Malta, isnt damaged as it is one of Maltas major employers.

Traditionally the UK has been Maltas biggest market for incoming tourists, often making up over half of the islands visitors in any given year, but some on the island see even this market as under threat. And property buyers from the UK have accounted for seventy per cent of Malta property sales to overseas buyers in recent years, settling in Valletta, Sliema, St Pauls, Mellieha, St Julians and Qawra.

A good portion of UK visitors and property buyers for Malta in recent years have been ex-forces who served for the British during WW2 when Malta held out against Hitlers Luftwaffe, and then in peacetime through to 1964 when Malta became independent, who returned for holidays.

But with the inevitability of this market declining a new breed of Maltas holiday and hotel entrepreneurs see Maltas future as less dependent on the UK tourist, and being more cosmopolitan in her outlook.

Declining Market and New Opportunities

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in Malta properties, say they have noticed more buyers making enquiries from other countries over the last year. In particular they say they have been receiving enquiries from france, italy and Germany.

The UK remains the foundation for overseas property buyers considering buying property in Malta, but the overall percentage is reducing as more and more people in mainland europe have visited Malta, and liked it so much they want to either move to the island full time or buy a holiday home.

The arrival of low cost flights to Malta though could reignite British interest as three and four day breaks a few times a year becomes financially viable. If the airlines fly to destinations in europe too the number of buyers for Malta property could rise in the immediate and medium term explains Tribunes Managing Director, Roger Munns.

For Maltas tourist industry three and four day visitors in increased numbers will be a welcome boost. There is discussion on the island about extending clubs opening hours beyond the current 4am.

Clubbers in the UK are used to 6am closing, and might be deterred from making a weekend trip with a three hour flight only to find shorter hours available for partying.

There are new opportunities for Malta, and its for the island to decide whether to embrace them and gain a new generation of visitors or ignore them and lose an asset for the economy agree YourMalta.com

Malta has a lot to offer the visitor apart from being a Mediterranean holiday island. Malta has a rich culture and history, and can easily appeal to all generations from toddlers to pensioners. More Italians and other nationalities are discovering Malta as a destination. Malta will become more cosmopolitan. And while some of the older more conservative residents are likely to be against a younger and more diverse mix of visitors from what they have been used to and see change as something to be afraid of, we believe the island will embrace the more cosmopolitan feel, while retaining the features that make Malta a unique visit among her Mediterranean island competitors.

For more details about Malta visit http://www.yourmalta.com.

// posted by 14797 @ 2:46 PM 0 comments

There are a couple of different types of slicing. Although basically, the effect is the same, you miss the target and end up with a higher score.

So you ask, how many types of slices are there and what are they? Although the figures may vary, there are at least 3 forms of slicing. All the rest are just variations of these 3 and produce more or less the same effect on your swing. These are:

1. Straight Slice

An initial straight path characterizes this slice once the ball is hit. However, midway in its flight, the ball will swerve either to the right or left depending on the individuals swinging hand. this is the most common type of slice; since most golfers aim to drive the ball straight through the course and take great pains in ensuring the downswing path is straight.

However, even with a perfect aim for the downswing, if the golf club hits the ball with an open clubface, this will cause the slice. So the goal is to not only hit with a perfect downswing but to ensure that the clubface is 'square' once it hits the ball.

2. Pull Slice

The downswing path for a push slice starts from the outside going in, and also includes an open clubface. Thus causing the ball to fly towards the left upon impact, and then gradually swerve to the right. this is due to the 'spin' generated by the open clubface hit on the ball.

3. Push Slice

this last form of a slice is characterized by an inside to outside swing path plus an open clubface hit. again this produces a spin on the ball upon impact, but this time the ball flies immediately to the right. But due to the additional spin generated, the ball will swerve drastically to the right even further.

Based on the information we have discussed about the various forms of the slice, the only common denominator between them is that they will always include an open clubface hit.

At its most basic, an open clubface will not induce much of a spin on the ball to cause it to make an extreme turn. However, if combined with an improper downswing, the effect will be destructive enough to cause the ball to entirely miss its target.

So the key here is practice, practice and more practice. Correcting a slice cannot be done overnight and the learning curve is different between each individual. But if you're willing to put in the work to fix the problem, you will be reaping the reward in the end. A perfect game may not be too far out of the horizon.

You might not get in the pga tour, but at least you'll enjoy the game more and that's a reward in itself.

For tips to correct a golf slice, visit http://www.curegolfslice.net

// posted by 14797 @ 1:02 AM 0 comments