GOOD TOURISM GROWTH PROSPECTS FROM RUSSIA

Minister for Tourism Michael Refalo today met an SMOM delegation from the Kursk region of Siberia in Russia. The delegation is here on a familiarisation visit and includes businessmen in search of local contacts.

The delegation's leaders are Roman Catholics and will be meeting Church representatives. It also includes two mothers whose sons perished in last August's submarine tragedy.

Welcoming the delegation to Palazzo Spinola, Minister Refalo recalled that as he had spent nearly half his life while Malta was a British colony, he had in the past as a student leader sometimes felt rather awed whenever he had occasion to meet representatives of large and powerful countries like Russia.

However, since Independence Malta and the Maltese had shown that they were capable of taking their place among the nations of the world, capable of meeting challenges and of competing successfully. Tourism was an area where Malta had made a success and that a policy of diversification, by nationality and interest, continued to give good results.

"Over the years we succeeded to wean away the industry from a mindset that Malta's only, natural market was the United Kingdom. Although Britain is still the source of many welcome visitors, the industry has adapted itself to the demands and tastes of a more international clientele".

The Minister remarked that Russia was one country targeted for growth. "After the downturn following the August '98 crisis, improved economic conditions and proactive marketing had attracted new medium-large operators to work with Malta and returns from regions such as St.Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, and Tyumen among others, are most encouraging."

Growth from the regions had surpassed that from Moscow and the percentage increase from the Russian market this year was forecast to reach 15%.

"We are also quite optimistic about our chances in 2001, as given the continued improvement of the Russian economy and in disposable incomes, next year MTA aims to achieve a 25,000 visitor flow. The long term potential of tourism from Russia is as exciting as it is great."

" We are very satisfied with the performance of MTA's Moscow Tourist Office, especially now that MTA has moved to more spacious offices, and I take this occasion to publicly thank director Anthony Caruana, who was instrumental for your visit, and truly appreciate all that he has done for Malta in such an enormous market and also in difficult circumstances."

Minister Refalo wished the delegation a pleasant stay and hoped that "our weather will not remind you too much of what you have left behind in Siberia, and that you will have many opportunities to meet Maltese and enjoy Malta's seven thousand year heritage."