The influence of Malta International Airport’s connectivity level on Maltese travellers’ destination choice

Abstract

This long essay sets out to explore the importance of connectivity to Maltese travellers specifically, and thus establish how the level of connectivity of Malta International Airport influences their travel decision-making and destination choice. To accomplish this, a quantitative research approach was utilised, and a questionnaire was circulated online in order to obtain the information required on how Maltese travellers look at connectivity and, in turn, how it affects where they travel to.

Upon analysing the results acquired, it was found that a significant number of Maltese travellers do take into consideration connectivity when making travel destination choices and that they place high importance on direct connectivity. Despite this however, if they truly wish to visit a particular destination which is not directly available from Malta International Airport, most are willing to catch connection flights. In addition, the majority are also not put off travelling to far away intercontinental countries as a result of long haul connecting flights, but it is essential to highlight as well that the proportion of Maltese travellers who are is still high.

Taking into account all of the research findings, it was concluded that there is a link between Malta International Airport’s connectivity level and Maltese travellers’ destination choice. This being said though, it is essential that continuous research is carried out since the travel behavioural patterns of the Maltese may change over time which could possibly render this study inaccurate in the future.