Meeting the challenge of Europe: Tourism Minister at Malta Association of Travel Agents Conference

Tourism Minister Michael Refalo concluded the Malta Association of Travel Agents General Meeting by telling MATA members to prepare themselves well for the challenges of Europe.

"Now that the EU's General Affairs Council has all but placed Malta back on the fast track all tourism operators must ensure their preparedness to work in a more competitive environment and a much larger market".

While emphasising his previous call for Malta's tourism operators to adopt a more proactive approach and shed sectoral pettiness, the Minister stressed that Government, through the Foreign Ministry and the EU Directorate structures, will be according all possible assistance to the industry's players.

Recalling that as recently as last Monday he had made arrangements for two other tourism Associations (MHRA and MIATA) for consultation meetings with the Foreign Minister and the Ministry's experts, Dr. Refalo said that he would certainly forward other requests for meetings as soon as a new Foreign Minister is appointed.

Dr. Refalo said that he was aware that MATA had a major interest in getting to know more about the European scenario in which it would be operating. "However," he added, "the experience which you have gained over the years will stand you in good stead".

"Tourism is a people's industry. It is the consumer industry par excellence. Travellers, whatever their nationality, their creed, their colour, have the same needs and requirements as their peers in the host destination. The "Tourism" Bill now before the House includes new provisions designed to accord travellers better protection. Malta's incoming travel agents are already bound to comply with the provisions of the EU Travel Package Directive. It is only fair that our nationals should be likewise protected when they purchase "travel packages" in Malta for holiday overseas or packages for services relative to domestic tourism. An indemnity scheme will be introduced when the Malta Tourism Authority deems it expedient".

The Minister said that when he had spoken to travel agents during last week's "Amitex" Fair he was pleased to find everyone in a buoyant mood. "This reflects the Maltese travelling public's trust in future prosperity as well as the professionalism of MATA members who had skillfully prepared innovative, interesting and competitive travel packages".

Minister Refalo concluded by saying that his Ministry, the Department of Tourism, as well as himself, were always on call should MATA, its members and any other tourism operators require their help and advice.