The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association in a statement today noted with satisfaction that “the NSO figures for July show another record for tourist arrivals, number of nights spent in Malta and tourist spend.”
“Without a doubt,” MHRA said, “this positive trend comes thanks to the combined efforts of all stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, MTA, Air Malta and other LCC’s, MIA, and the private sector which is the motor powering this industry. When one considers that Malta’s source markets are all experiencing economic turmoil this achievement is considered to be even more positive and should act as a stimulus for further efforts in the coming months.”
Tony Zahra, MHRA President stated that, “these results do not come as a surprise to us and proves how right MHRA was at the beginning of the year to call on its members not to succumb to pressures to reduce their room rates during the summer period.”
MHRA said that it is now working with the various government entities to ensure that the number of seats on offer for winter 2012/2013 will match those that were on offer in winter 2010/2011, when Malta experienced record arrivals during the winter months. Tony Zahra reiterated that, “Accessibility is the key to success, as has been demonstrated by results, and we must therefore ensure that the seats are available.”
MHRA also noted that the increased spend by tourists in Malta will no doubt come as welcome news to the Minister of Finance since it is estimated that a full 30 per cent of all the money spent in Malta will accrue to government in the form of one tax or another. “Indeed tourism is a major – if not the major – contributor to government finances. MHRA maintains that every single penny spent on tourism is a great investment for government which returns handsomely to government in the form of taxes.”
Tony Zahra continued by saying that, “Sustainability of the Hotel Industry is now a matter of urgency that needs to be tackled by the industry and government.’ MHRA has now been talking to government for a long time emphasising that it is necessary to address the issue of sustainability in the hotel industry to ensure continued success in this most important industry for Malta’s economy.”