Partit Demokratiku has called for the immediate resignation of Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli.

In a statement, PD said that “hospitality operators have shared with us their grave concerns about the impending fate of the industry, their investments and their employees and their families.”

It argued that “the knock-on effect on the Maltese economy, which is intimately connected to the tourism industry, will be devastating if the long term downward spiral of visitor numbers continues.”

“As a result of the bad handling of the crisis, Malta’s tourism product is suffering,” stated PD. “Its reputation shall now be one of an irresponsible party island, and thus damages the objective of attracting high spending quality tourism over quantity.”

The PD stressed that “Malta requires a management team with competent, experienced and qualified persons who could hopefully succeed in stopping the hemorrhage and instill some form of stability for the industry.”

“We endorsed the overriding vision as clearly stated in the Ministry of Tourism’s National Tourism Policy 2015-2020 document which promotes, controlled growth, which is achievable through the targeting of appropriate markets with the aim of achieving higher rates of economic returns and returns on investment,” said PD.

The document also outlines its vision through 2030 with a realistic snapshot of the industry in 2014 and with a clear, achievable and sustainable set of policies and measures.

The Party stressed that “it is of vital importance that tourism operators have confidence in the Tourism Ministry and Minister for renewed enthusiasm in the predictability of the industry for continued investment into their respective operations.”

Partit Demokratiku concluded by appealing to the Prime Minister “to do what is expected from him and appoint someone who can get the job done.”

File photo Alain Salvary

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