Dubai The Government of Malta has opened its tourism office in Dubai to spearhead a campaign to promote tourism from the UAE and the Gulf.

“We are now offering a three-night stay in five-star hotels, including airfare and taxes at Dh2,290 which is very attractive,” Josef Formosa Gauci, chief executive of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), told Gulf News yesterday.

MTA held its first conference in Dubai with travel and tour operators to promote the package which will run till January 2010. The office will be attached to the Malta Enterprises office in the Fairmont Hotel building where its consulate is also located.

Gauci said his country has a lot to offer to Gulf visitors. “Apart from eco tourism, Malta has a lot of heritage and natural attractions to offer,” he said. “Malta is a hub for cruise tourism as well.”

Malta, whose vibrant tourism industry has long relied on European tourists, has seen a 10 per cent drop in international arrivals this year due to the global economic crisis. With Emirates airline providing a strong connectivity, the country is now focusing on the East, especially the Gulf markets, to woo high-spending tourists.

“The current economic situation has influenced us to look at other markets and we see the GCC and the UAE as a potentially strong market for our tourism industry,” he said.