Tourism Minister meets Hoteliers

Various issues affecting the accomodation and other tourism-related sectors were brought up during a meeting which the Minister of Tourism, Karmenu Vella, had on 3 September 1997, with a delegation from the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA).

During the meeting the matter of recent charges levied by the Health Authorities on Hotels for tests on swimming pool water, over and above the annual licence payable to the Water Services Corporation, was brought up. The MHRA emphasised the fact that for its members, water and electricity charges ranked second in terms of costs, after salaries.

Minister Vella briefed the delegation on the current update of the Industrial Development Act, saying that discussions were taking place in order to ensure that the tourism industry would also benefit from developments in this regard.

The embellishment of the Paceville - St. Julians - Sliema area was also on the meeting's agenda, with the Minister of Tourism laying stress on the need to give priority to Paceville. He said that work was proceeding with the relevant authorities in relation to the development of a 2000-capacity car park in lieu of the Telemalta offices at St. George's Bay. Referring to Sliema, Mr. Vella said that the Ministry of Tourism was ready to assist the town's Local Council in improving its rocky beach product and meetings have already taken place with the Mayor of Sliema in this direction.

Minister Vella also informed the hoteliers present that Mr. George Micallef, currently Chairman of the Bugibba Action Committee, was acting as his consultant in matters relating to product improvement. Mr. Micallef's tasks include coordinating the work of committees charged with the upkeep of rehabilitated areas.

On the subject of public transport and taxis, various proposals on the possibility of improving the services offered, especially the taxi service, were discussed, particularly in view of the lack of options available to visitors with regards to shuttle services to and from the airport and seaport.