Tourism Minister calls out PN MP on ‘conflict of interest’

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has accused Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo of “conflict interest” and insisted that he should shoulder political responsibility.

In the winding up of the parliamentary debate to approve the financial estimates of the Institute of Tourism Studies, Zammit Lewis said Arrigo should declare his conflict of interest as a tourism operator. He accused the MP of working behind the scenes against the introduction of the eco-contribution.

“The amount of damage which you are causing is irreparable. This is something which will improve the Maltese product,” Zammit Lewis said, of the 50c environmental contribution tax.

The minister has insisted that it would generate funds for general infrastructural improvements and to improve the kind of tourism offered by the country. The contribution would consist of an income of 50c per tourist over the age of 18 years, capped at €5 per visit.

The court is expected to deliver its judgement after tourism operators filed for warrant of prohibitory injunction on the new tax.

“I know what you’re telling the different tourism entities,” Zammit Lewis told Arrigo, insisting that, ultimately, it would be “operators like you” who would benefit from the funds generated.

“[Arrigo is] trying to stop a good initiative … a tax that is the cheapest in Europe and would generate some €6 million annually that would be used to improve our country's infrastructure.”

Whilst insisting that he would respect the court’s decision, Zammit Lewis said he would continue working to see the introduction of the eco-tax.