US Professor comments...

August 20, 1995



Hello! First, a quick introduction: I am John Lane, a by now retired professor of politicial science, living in Buffalo, N.Y., visiting Malta about once a year to meet with old friends and to keep up with my academic interests there.

I just came across the Malta Home Page on the Web and was really delighted to see it. A number of contributions spoke eloquently and nostalgically of Malta; a reminder that I should think about planning my next trip there...

The three letters by Joseph Vella made a special appeal to Americans to come visit Malta and I thought I would respond to that, being one of those potential visitors (and of the "up-market" variety, too). First I thought of replying only to him; but it occurs to me that maybe some other people would like to share my perspective.

Let me say that I admire Joseph Vella's enthusiasm about Malta. But I fear that he may be over-selling it. There is a problem with urging people to visit a place and then have them measure it against the sky-high praise. For instance, if they are told that the island "is free of smog," how will they feel after suffering from coughing fits in the wake of diesel-powered buses lumbering up Tower Road in Sliema? Visitors may also disagree that there is "no overt commercialism which intrudes privacy and offends sensibilities" after they encounter areas like the monte in Valletta, commercial areas around St. Paul's Bay or the chaos of Paceville.

The emphasis Joseph Vella places on the archeological treasures of the islands is well taken. These are precious possessions and worth every visitor's attention. (Tourists should enjoy before the developers destroy...) Still, many of these treasures are not well taken care of. Museums are often poorly staffed and the state of some sites (like the catacombs) is embarrassing, with graffiti and debris all around. The area around City Gate and the shell of the old opera house speak of neglect.

And there is the question of cost. Joseph Vella targets members of the AARP; but this group of retired persons is not, on average, particularly prosperous. Thus, what would they do when they are faced with these figures, which I culled from the EAASY SABRE on-line service just today:

	Lowest quoted fare for a round-trip flights
	in October 1995 from Buffalo, N.Y. to -

	London Heathrow......... $482
	Madrid..................  561
	Zurich..................  606
	Rome....................  644
	Malta...................  958

Don't get me wrong: I love to visit Malta and I do so, again and again! But its advantages must be weighed and some of its shortcomings as a tourist destination must be acknowledged.

Well, I could go on; but this should do it for one day. Perhaps we can get into a a fruitful conversation about some of these issues.

Best regards,

John Lane

E-mail:John C. Lane

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