Tourists stay away in Malta in their droves

Pity the poor boatmen at the Blue Grotto in Malta and Azure Window on Gozo. The last two weeks in August and we were the only people on the boat trip around the Gozo caves. A wait at the Blue Grotto elicited a few more tourists but the credit crunch has well and truly bitten over here. Some hotels in Mellieha are reporting bookings 70% down this summer. Fortunately the Italians have saved the day for many.