Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/553115
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST 2015 12 News TIM DIACONO GOZO is bracing itself for its an- nual invasion of domestic tourists as the Maltese cross the channel in droves for the Santa Marija week- end – all hotels are already fully booked, over a week in advance. Apartments, farmhouses and hostels are also choc-a-bloc, as thousands of Maltese are expected to stick to tradition and cross the channel at the weekend. Last-minute bookers browsing Booking.com may feel as though they have encountered an expen- sive stroke of luck, with the web- site claiming that two twin rooms at the three-star Il-Plajja hotel are available for the weekend at a sharp €1,620. However, a receptionist at the Marsalforn hotel confirmed with MaltaToday that their rooms too are fully booked for Gozo's busiest weekend. "It's a glitch on the website's part, but we might have to see what we can do if you offer €1,620 for two nights," he joked. Over 90,000 people and 20,000 vehicles took to the Gozo ferry between August 13 and August 17 last year – the feast day, a public holiday, marks the Ascension of Our Lady and is celebrated in sev- en parishes, six in Malta and Vic- toria in Gozo. The six in Malta are Attard, Mosta, Mqabba, Qrendi, Ghaxaq and Gudja. Gozo fully booked ahead of Santa Marija TOP BEACHES Ramla Bay Half a kilometre long, Ramla Bay is Gozo's largest sandy beach. Unique terracotta-red sand, located at the foot of a valley surrounded by undeveloped greenery makes it an obvious tourist haunt. Most family-friendly beach in the Maltese islands. Hondoq ir-Rummien Surrounded by nature, the quaint and secluded bay is sought after for snorkeling and canoeing activities. Offers a striking view of Comino. Mgarr ix-Xini Small but beautiful gem of a bay close to Sannat, recently ranked by CNN as one of ten places around the world which everyone must see before they die. Of course, it was also the film-set for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's romantic film 'By the Sea'. Dwejra Bay Popular beach, largely due to the nearby Azure Window and now fabled as the backdrop for a scene from 'Game of Thrones'. The azure window featured grandly in the Hollywood film 'Clash of the Titans'. Xlendi Bay Surrounded by cliffs, its shallow waters make it accessible to children. The more intrepid swimmers can explore the large St Catherine's Cave, used by Grandmaster Perellos as a luncheon spot. Air Malta to launch new airfare structure MATTHEW VELLA CHANGES are in the offing at Air Malta in a bid to make its booking website the most attractive chan- nel for airfare prices. In August 2013, MaltaToday reported that the national airline was charging a €10 administrative fee on its online booking facility, when specialist websites like last- minute.com did not, offering Air Malta's rock-bottom price as is, without extra charges. A spokesperson told this news- paper that the airline will now be introducing a change in policy to make its website "the most attrac- tive channel in terms of pricing". Service fees were introduced in September 2011, with Air Malta charging €15 per booking through the call centre and the MIA ticket office and €10 per booking through airmalta.com. At the time, the airline said that the service fee represented "excel- lent value for money", enabling customers to use its "end-to-end servicing capability, either through the call centre, MIA ticket officer or through the online 'Manage My Booking' service." "Air Malta has been working on a number of product changes over the last months, with changes based on feedback received from customers through surveys done on www.airmalta.com and on- board," an Air Malta spokesperson said this week. The airline said it will be launch- ing the comprehensive changes – so far never done in the airline's history – in the coming days. The changes will include three economy options – 'simply fly', 'best value' and 'spoil yourself' – and three business operations, dubbed 'business basic', 'business value', and 'business anytime'. Each category of ticket will offer a range of benefits, but the lowest 'simply fly' tier will still include a 20kg baggage allowance and a small snack – in contrast with what other airlines offer. "There will be more choice for customers and an easier selection of ancillary services. The changes will include a change in fare struc- ture and a reduced difference be- tween fares.