Updated | PN urges full consultation over incoming tourist tax

The Nationalist Party has urged the government to delay the introduction of a tourist tax and consult with all tourism stakeholders about its impact.

“We are not against the tax in principle but we can never accept the way it is set to be implemented without any consultation with stakeholders,” the PN’s tourism spokesperson Antoine Borg said

Borg’s press conference follows calls by Opposition MP Robert Arrigo for all tourism stakeholders to administer a fund that will raise money collected through a 50c nightly eco tax that all tourism operators will be obliged to charge to their clients as of June.

As it stands, the money – expected to amount to around €6 million a year – will be administered through a public-private partnership with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Arrigo, who owns a tour operator company, warned that tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis is “being held hostage” to the MHRA. Zammit Lewis retorted that Arrigo’s criticism stemmed from commercial interests.

Borg added that stakeholders haven’t been given enough time to change their bookings and record keeping systems system so as to accommodate the tax.

“Government should postpone the introduction of the tax until November to give operators a chance to understand the way the system works and carry out the necessary amendments,” he said. 

In a reaction, the Ministry for Tourism accused the opposition of being against the regeneration of tourist areas, projects which would be funded by the same tax.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis argued that Malta had to ensure the required infrastructure and quality to sustain the growing tourism industry. It is expected that Malta may soon host some two million tourists every year.

The ministry reiterated that the 50c contribution was introduced with the assistance of “professional auditors with wide experience in the tourism sector”.

The government, the minister added, chose MHRA as its partner whilst other entities voiced their agreement. Wide consultation with the industry was held.

Questions on the matter can also be sent to [email protected] ; queries can also be made by calling 22915038.