OPENING ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure once again to inaugurate another edition of the Air Malta International Travel Exhibition, or as it more simply known AMITEX.

This is the seventh edition of the event, first held in 1994. Since then, I have seen this exhibition grow every year. During this period, the organisers have realised the success of the fair and while participation increased, the exhibition was moved to the present location at the Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar to provide more space, accommodate more exhibitors, and make it easier for them to exhibit their products.

It is very encouraging to know that travel agents, tour operators, hotels and airlines compete to take part in the exhibition. This year we also have participants from variety of countries – from Scandinavia to Tunisia and from the USA to Dubai. No less than representatives from 32 destinations are present here today.

I can safely say that Amitex, today is an established event in the local calendar of activities and many are those who look forward to this fair, where under one roof, one can see what the industry is offering a product and service to the public.

Amitex is a show window for the travel industry as well as a source of information about the travel opportunities that are available for the Maltese traveller.

It also provides a venue for discussion and exchanges of ideas between those involved in the travel business.

Last, but not least, it is an education exercise at finding ways and means of how to develop and enhance our product to tourists and local travellers alike.

It is very important, because it contributes to the building and strengthening of our tourist industry on which our economy depends a great deal.

The Government, earlier this year, set up the Malta Tourism Authority as part of the restructuring of the tourist industry to make it more competitive in today's developing global village and thus provide a better product to the incoming tourist. Government has supported such event from its very inception and with Malta aiming to be a hub and an attraction to tourists, the event has an important role to play.

Last year Amitex attracted 95 local and foreign exhibitors as well as over 30,000 visitors. This year, as the Maltese venture further and wider and the incoming tourist numbers keep increasing, more visitors are expected to visit the exhibition. And indeed there is more to see this year including an Air Malta exclusive stand which will promote its latest destination – that of the United States of America. In fact rightly enough Air Malta is promoting special packages to New York, where it will start flying later this year.

The future for the travel industry is bright but I dare say it is also a sensitive industry. Competition is tough and we cannot rest on our laurels of the successes of the past years.

We have to keep working hard. Nobody owes us a living and it is up to us to keep abreast with world-wide developments so that we can maintain a competitive edge.

We have a rich product to offer from archaeological to historic sites from sand and sea to sun. These are all very important ingredients. But we have to offer a service. This is undoubtedly a product which can be improved further if we want to keep pace with the world we live in.

I am confident that this exhibition is an exercise with this aim. I congratulate the organisers and wish them and all the exhibitors every success and good business. I also wish the general public and the visitors a fruitful and satisfactory tour.

With these points in mind, I now declare the fair open for business.

Thank you very much.