London MTA resignation a cause of concern, says shadow tourism minister

The Nationalist Party has said a spate of resignations in overseas office of the Maltta Tourism Authority was a cause of concern for the effort being poured into attracting tourists to the islands.

Shadow tourism minister Antoine Borg said the recent resignation of the London’s MTA office’s marketing director, the largest tourist market to Malta, had added to the detriment from other resignations in France and Germany, whose offices remain without directors.

“The Opposition has, for weeks, called on the government, even in parliament, to address these shortcomings. The lack of attention bears witness to the government’s attitude to these important markets and economic contributors.

“On the other hand, the government saw nothing much in appointing a friend of the Prime Minister’s wife – Michelle Buttigieg – on a €60,000 salary for the New York office, in a market that only represents 2% of Malta’s tourist intake, when European tourists account for 85%.”

Borg said that the positive results achieved in the last years were the result of work carried out in overseas offices, and insisted that the government acts fast to fill these vacant roles with competent candidates.