Ross Bentley

Operators are seeing an increasing number of UK holidaymakers visiting Malta as part of a twin-centre break.

The trend has prompted Malta specialist Sunspot to launch a combined Malta and Cyprus brochure for next summer.

Deputy managing director Nick Bugeja said: "Lots of people don't want to spend two weeks in the same place. Cyprus and Malta both attract an upmarket older clientele and are less than two hours apart by air. They are a perfect match."

The operator offers seven nights at the four-star Waterfront hotel in Sliema, Malta, combined with seven nights at the four-star Marathon Hotel in Limassol, Cyprus from euro 729 per person including flights and breakfast.

Cadogan MD Gary David said twinning Malta with either Gozo or Comino is also popular.

He said 60% of his clients break their holiday in Malta with a short stay on one of the smaller, neighbouring islands.

"They can experience the hustle and bustle of Malta and step back in time 100 years in Gozo. It's beautiful, slow-paced and great for walking and fishing. A lot of people rent farmhouses to just get away from it all," said David.

Cadogan offers three nights at the five-star Kempinski hotel in Gozo combined with seven nights at the three-star hotel Plevna in Malta from euro589 including flights, transfers and breakfast.

David said the trip from Malta to Gozo takes 45 minutes by ferry although clients after something special can make the journey by helicopter, which costs an extra ¸86 per person with Cadogan.

Belleair Holidays offers the Italian island of Sicily as a twinning option with Malta. Sales and marketing manager Richard Gamber said he has seen a "definite increase" in people combining the two islands, made possible by Air Malta's connecting service to Catania in Sicily. It operates thrice weekly in the summer and twice weekly during winter.

The operator offers three nights at the four-star Victoria Hotel in Sliema, Malta, combined with four nights at the four-star Ariston Hotel in Taormina, Sicily, from ¸522 including flights and breakfast.

Alternatively, a 14-night holiday, consisting of seven nights at each hotel leads in at euro665.

Travel Weekly, November 5, 2004