Film industry expected to inject €80 million into economy in 2015

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has lauded the Maltese film servicing industry, saying the sector was going from strength to strength.

Addressing the first in a series of public consultation meetings by ministers, Zammit Lewis said that from just €5 million in investment in 2013, film investment from overseas had increased to €29 million in 2014, and that some €80 million will be injected into the economy by the end of 2015.

“I’m convinced the industry will be a new niche that will provide great opportunities for full-time employment in Malta,” Zammit Lewis said.

He said the Rinella film studios will be subject to an expression of interest or a public-private partnership, but warned they would not be allowed to fall back into private ownership owing to the previous problems in financing the studios.

Turning to Air Malta, Zammit Lewis said that difficult choices will have to be made to ensure the survival of the airline.

He said the government was working to secure new routes and airlines, particularly during the winter months.

Zammit Lewis said that many jobs within the tourism industry were also being occupied by foreign workers, precisely because more Maltese people needed to consider the industry as a serious future.

The minister also said that the government was seeking to develop the cruise liner industry further inside Gozo.

Gozo minister Anton Refalo, also present at the event, agreed that more needed to be done to promote tourism as an industry where people could find rewarding careers, rather than a fall-back career, particularly in Gozo.

“Gozo’s greatest challenge is increasing bed nights and this is being tackled seriously by the ministry,” Zammit Lewis, explaining that the government was carrying out research into terminals for cruise liners and “green” airstrips among others.

Zammit Lewis also referred to the issues that had plagued the south in terms of dwindling tourist numbers. He said that the government was working to ensure positive developments in the area through a number of investments, citing the regeneration of Smart City and the controversial American University that has generated so much protest.