MINISTER FOR TOURISM PRESIDES OVER DUTCH TOUR OPERATOR'S BROCHURE LAUNCH

The Minister for Tourism, Dr. Michael Refalo, presided over the Malta-only brochure launch which Dutch tour operator Sonar Reizen held in Sliema.

Minister Refalo recalled the day in the late eighties when the decision was taken for NTOM to open its Amsterdam office to look after Maltese tourism interests in the Benelux. Since then the number of Dutch visitors had trebled and in 1999 reached a peak of over 65,000.

Air Malta had also been instrumental for this achievement and the Minister was delighted to hear Sonar praise the work and effort of Eric Psaila, Air Malta's man in Amsterdam. "I have a word of praise for NTOM's directors in Amsterdam – the pioneering work undertaken by Jeffrey Cutajar laid the solid foundations over which John Montague built his successful plans for expansion. Recently we have Albert Mallia in post and I am certain that his efforts will be as successful."

The Minister understood the worries which "stop sales" cause to tour operators but "I also understand hoteliers' predicaments, namely to safeguard their all-year-round interests and those of the several tour operators who fill their hotels in the more difficult winter months."

The Minister accepted criticism about the state of the roads in the vicinity of Five Star hotels and said that he was perhaps the most vociferous supporter of an improved environment in those areas and around the island.

"I do not wish to cross swords on everything which you have said, but it is possible to buy Malta liri forward as it is possible to buy forward in any other currency. The local banking sector would certainly be ready to assist Sonar Reizen in this respect."

On airline capacity Minister Refalo said that he too would have liked more frequency and more floated seats "not only in Holland but in all source markets where expansion is possible, but Dr. Refalo said that one had to take into consideration the constraints and viability of a small airline.

On Sonar Reizen's complaint about Air Malta's recently announced fare increases, the Minister assured that this had been necessary to avoid losses due to the sharp rise in fuel prices. "KLM could not afford to lose 17 million dollars in the last three months, much less a small airline like Air Malta".

"There is no such thing as a free lunch and life is no joyride. We have to work hard to overcome difficulties and meet challenges. Malta's tourist industry will actively partner Sonar to give the welcome Dutch visitors value for money and interesting experiences during their holidays to Malta and Gozo", the Minister concluded.

4.02.2000