Vacations travel

The idea of partying on the beach is universally appealing
conjuring up images of dancing from sunset to sunrise on golden sands
with bonfires
great music
crashing waves and cocktails in the mix.

From Ibiza to Miami
there are as many types of beach parties as there are party-people looking for a good time. From down and dirty dancing to celebrity-spotting socializing
read on for the 5 best party beaches in the world!

IBIZA
SPAIN

The name Ibiza has been synonymous with the phrase ‘beach party’ ever since the late ‘80’s when the former hangout of hippies and flower-children
metamorphosized into the party capital of the world. Stars
celebs and models all love to get down at the clubs dotted around this picturesque Spanish isle. The Playa d’en Bossa Beach is the longest stretch of beach on the island with its bars and caf้s. The far end of the beach (away from Ibiza Town) is calmer
with less people and house music. But for the definitive Ibiza beach party
head to Bora Bora
half way along d'en Bossa beach. Ibiza is also known as a gay-friendly beach party destination.

MYKONOS
GREECE

With its welcoming locals and trendy beach bars oceanside
Mykonos is another great place to party on the sands. Head to Paradise Beach Bar
located right on the beach between the palm trees. Here the partying starts early - from 2 pm – and goes on till sunrise the following day. This breathtakingly beautiful island is another favourite destination of the world’s fashionable party-set
so expect to enjoy celebrity-spotting while you dance the night away. Lots of places of historical and cultural interest
plus great tanning opportunities
mean you’ll never be bored while waiting for the fun to begin.

SOUTH BEACH
MIAMI

Where the beautiful people hang out – South Beach offers all the partying you’ll ever need. Although not strictly speaking ON the beach
the numerous fabulous clubs sprinkled along this expensive coastline are so hot that they bring the beach atmosphere right inside. This is where the posh people party
but the good times only get under way from 11 pm
so strolling along the beach
dining out or having a drink in the earlier part of the evening is recommended to avoid arriving too early. Many top model agencies send scouts to South Beach - you never know who might spot you on one of the awesome dance floors. The beach itself is stunning
with white
baby-powder sands caressed by the Atlantic. Not only can you dine here during the day but when the sun goes down you can have fun at the beds on stilts at Nikki Beach.

BLOOMINGDALE AAN ZEE
HOLLAND

This event-venue opened nearly 7 years ago as a beach party for Amsterdam locals. The club has grown to accommodate 2 400 revelers with both in- and out-of-door areas. The setting is one of the most aesthetic on the Netherlands coast. Bloomingdales is renowned for its all-day Sunday parties held regularly throughout the year. The music tends towards chilled
laid-back tunes
perfect for the beach-setting. Top DJ’s are hosted regularly here.

CAMPS BAY
CAPE TOWN
SOUTH AFRICA

The white sands of this beautiful beach are popular throughout summer with both locals and international visitors to the Mother City of Cape Town
South Africa. With bars
cafes and restaurants right along the Camps Bay strip there are always trendy and beautiful people spilling out of these venues on to the beach. While volley ball and tanning are popular by day
sundowners and impromptu beach parties are on from early evening to well past midnight. Enjoy music
fire-jugglers and drumming around the huge bonfires which are lit during the summer holiday season.

So if sun
sand and sea make put you in the mood for some sexy partying – why leave the beach? Head for one of these 5 hot spots and the party need never end!

Visitor numbers have been in decline on the Mediterranean island of Malta
but the hope is that 2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel and holidays industry.

The Malta hotels and holiday industry are major players in the island's economy
and with unemployment already high
a further drop in the number of visitors next year could have a negative impact not just in tourism but for Malta as a whole.

Throughout the year the monthly statistics for the number of tourists visiting Malta have made depressing reading for the Malta hotels
and the next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday destinations
or be relegated to niche travel status.

The island was rife with rumours earlier in the year that a UK tour operator was going to withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures
and a survey in the island's biggest market showed that Malta would be more expensive for British tourists than the Canary and Balearic Islands for equivalent holidays next year.

But more recent news has brought hope to the Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrest in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year
with MyTravel surprising the holidays in Malta market by announcing an increase in the number of winter visitors it will be taking from the UK to Malta.

But the most positive news has come from low cost carrier RyanAir
who have started flights to Malta from London and Dublin.

Between announcing the Dublin and London routes and the maiden flight to Malta
Ryanair sold 30
0
tickets. And the new competition has spurred Air Malta
the island's national airline
to make offers of its own. A successful campaign saw two tickets a minute being sold recently.

'This is all good news
' say Malta hotels and holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com
'Earlier in the year it looked like there was only one way that the visitor figures for Malta were going for the future
and that was in a continuing downward spiral.'

At one stage earlier in the year there were real doubts cast upon whether the Malta Government would approve the new low cost flights at all. Air Malta is a major employer and some in the tourist sector felt that too much of a protectionist attitude was being taken at the expense of a possible upswing in new visitors.

'Unfortunately
' continue YourMalta
'The Malta Tourist Authority and The Malta government seem to to make life as difficult as possible for the island's hotel owners and those involved in the holiday industry. A privately run company like Ryanair will achieve more and bring more money on to the island than the Tourist Authority can ever dream of. And Ryanair will probably make a profit out of it while the Tourist Authority is using taxpayers money. We're just waiting for the first set of figures where tourism has risen
and for the Malta Tourist Authority to claim part or all of the credit. In reality if tourist figures do rise it's despite the Tourist Authority
and not because of it'.

Travel To Malta

Speaking on a visit to Malta recently
Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary declared himself pleased with their new Luton route
and predicted that their Dublin route
due to start operating in February
would be even more successful. He believes that Ryanair could take some 85
0
visitors to the island in 2007.

'If Ryanair do deliver 85
0
visitors to Malta in 2007 it will stop the perpetual decline in overall tourist numbers
' say YourMalta
'It depends of course on whether a large number will be new visitors or simply those who would have visited Malta anyway. We believe the likelihood is that a good deal of the 85
0
will be new visitors who hadn't considered a Malta holiday before. With Air Malta fighting back and having successful promotions too there is every reason to feel confident that 2007 will prove to be a good year for Malta tourism. Hopefully it will prove to be a turning point and not a delay in the downward spiral of the last few years'.

The real estate industry in Malta also produces a good deal of inward investment for the Malta economy
and increased visitor numbers often correlate to an increase in Malta property prices.

According to Tribune Properties
a UK based company who specialise in Malta properties for sale
property inflation could be in double digits next year.

'Malta property buyers from overseas start as tourists
and with new tourists arriving next year in increased numbers we do expect this to have some impact on the market overall. The Malta weather is always a plus point when potential buyers are considering where to buy a holiday home. But ease of access is a critical factor
and with the new flights at reduced prices it makes spending a few long weekends on Malta as well as the traditional week and fortnight holiday a realistic possibility for more people.'

Travel guide YourMalta do offer a cautionary note
urging the Malta authorities to invest in better roads and other infrastructure.

'It's important that holidaymakers want to return to the island in future years
and not just visit once - never to look at a holiday brochure and a map of Malta with good memories and return. The Malta hotels are on a par with the rest of Europe
but if they step outside to dangerous pavements
unclean beaches and a timeshare tout around every corner ready with a high pressure sales pitch they won't return. Hopefully the Malta Tourist Authority will be doing as much as they can ensure a pleasant Malta holiday experience'.