What better way is there, then to enhance the image of Malta as a niche market for young romantics and affluent senior citizens, with the ability to travel without constraint of time. What Malta has in abundance is providential scenic beauty and a millennium of history per square mile unmatched by most other places. These attractions can and should be further enhanced with man made beautification projects, costing little relative to return on investment. One such image-related project would be to plant subtropical palm trees, or other species of trees and shrubs which prosper in the Mediterranean region. Areas of choice would include roundabouts, street medians, and particularly the beautiful Sliema strand and other prominent sea fronts, where tourists and locals alike love to gather and stroll.
Palms come in a wide variety of shape and size.
They are stately and spectacular in appearance, are wind resistant, require little maintenance, and best of all need modest watering. As a further incentive the Government can match philanthropic donations lira for lira, or in some other proportional arrangement. Imagine for a moment an idyllic tree lined Malta, favorably holding its own against other less verdant Mediterranean islands, or even lush tropical Hawaii. Golf is a sport of choice for the idle rich and wealthy from Europe, North America and the Far East. Here again I propose a Government subsidy or incentive package to attract local or foreign venture capital for construction of facilities built to meet or exceed world standards.