This morning an MHRA delegation led by President Mr Tony Zahra held a meeting with Prime Minister Robert Abela at the Castille as part of the pre budget consultation process.
Mr Zahra emphasised during the meeting that the travel, hospitality and tourism sector is “there to stay” despite the gross difficulties currently being faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic spreading across the world.
The Prime Minister stated that, “it’s crucial that we continue to enforce the regulations even though I understand that no one enjoys it. We are doing well but more enforcement will be needed. This does not mean that we will kill one sector or another, but on the contrary, it means that the increased enforcement will translate into leaving the sectors open and getting out of this period successfully.”
Dr Abela said he understood that there are sectors such as bars that are complaining about the ongoing enforcement, but stressed that this is necessary to get out of this period successfully.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for everyone to wear a mask to better control the rate of infections. He said that “through educational campaigns we want to get the message across about the importance of wearing masks and their wider use.”
He also spoke about the need for more screening and reiterated that the solution is not to close the airport.
Abela added that it is crucial to have a rapid testing system and to increase the tests of people who are arriving in Malta and don’t have a negative certificate. He said that we currently have a system that is working well but that can also be strengthened through PCR testing of passengers coming to Malta.
He claimed that “we do not want to go to extremes” and called for balance, saying that “these measures will not stifle the country but will better preserve the economic sectors of our country.”
Dr Abela also stressed that what we decide on today “will be sustainable” and said he is confident that “tomorrow will be better.”
He reiterated that “we cannot say that things will normalise on their own, because from experience we have seen that if the government does not update the measures it has taken and maintains a cautious control of the situation, things can get worse.”
Mr Zahra stated that the forthcoming budget needs to be geared towards safeguarding the tourism sector in the coming months with a view to be in a position to thrive when the economy will get back on its feet.
There were various initiatives were discussed, which included the issuing of vouchers in the first quarter of next year rather than during the Christmas period, the continuation of the €800 wage subsidy for both hotels and restaurants for the coming 6 months, schemes supporting the retention of talented and experienced staff, tax support schemes and other initiatives which aim to enhance the tourism product including embellishment projects, improved safety standards and marketing.
Mr Zahra emphasised that tourism is not just hoteliers and restaurateurs but includes everyone.
He called for any future decisions to be taken together in order to get out of this situation.
Also present for the meeting were Minister for Tourism Julia Farrugia Portelli, Minister for the Economy Silvio Schembri, Minister for Finance Profs Edward Scicluna and PM’s Private Secretary Clyde Caruana.
Photo: DOI Clodagh O’Neill