|
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association regards as another setback to Maltese tourism the missed deadline of September 2005 to have the restructuring of the Malta Tourism Authority in place. The restructuring, when completed, should mark a new beginning in the marketing of Malta overseas, and the sooner this starts gathering momentum the better for all involved in tourism.
MHRA President Justin Zammit Tabona said that this is another self-imposed target that has been missed, keeping the promotion machine of destination Malta on idle. The Association appreciates the entity and complexity of the work involved in the restructuring exercise. But it also recognises its importance to the future of the tourism industry. Moreover, the long wait for completing this change is bound to have a negative effect on the morale of the staff who has to deliver a message of warmth and well-being about Malta.
“It is for these reasons that we urge Government to settle the restructuring exercise without delay,” said Zammit Tabona.
The MHRA has on many occasions emphasised that the present situation in tourism called for action to be taken rather than stating intentions or compiling reports. It also stated that we are building a culture of finding good reasons for not meeting commitments. The MTA re-structuring is a case in point.
The industry has not been going through a good year, and the coming winter does not hold promise of growth. Hotels are seeing their profits reducing, and tourists are spending less nights and money in Malta. Tourism statistics this year have made drab reading – but when they translate to the financial performance of individual establishments, the need for urgent action stares us in the face.
Zammit Tabona said that all stakeholders in tourism had an important role to play, and the hotel and restaurant sectors were investing heavily to keep up the service they give to visitors. The public at large also needed to recognise its responsibilities particularly in the area of cleanliness and care of the environment.
On the part of Government, matters such as the MTA restructuring must be addressed with the urgency and importance that they deserve. We must not allow our tourism promotion machine to continue to lose its effectiveness. The stakes are too high, said Mr Zammit Tabona.
|
