TOURISM MINISTER ADDRESSES LAUNCH OF 'RESTAURANT AND ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE'

When addressing the Press and guests during the launch of Media Consulta Malta Limited's 'Malta and Gozo Restaurant and Entertainment Guide', at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Couvre Porte, Manoel Island, Tourism Minister Michael Refalo pointed out that the presence of the Malta Tourism Authority's logo on the book's cover and on the invitation which guests to the event had received, did not make the guide an MTA publication.

It did, however, signify that the compilers and publishers of the guide had been assisted by the Authority in the preparation of a publication which was both useful and necessary.

The Minister commented that the guide clearly showed that customers had a very wide and varied choice of restaurants and eateries to choose from, but also that the presence of so many outlets meant that competition in the field was extremely keen. Success did not depend solely on the type of menu and on whether diners went for local, European or Asian cuisine, but on the level of service and price charged. Rather than complaining about lack of custom and all inclusive packages, some restaurant owners should first ask themselves why business was slow for them while others did well.

"While over the past ten years the influence of ITS graduates has improved food preparation and production in hotel and restaurant kitchens, I cannot say the same for the level of restaurant service. I regret to say that ITS course is never fully subscribed." Minister Refalo said that a similar situation was also prevalent in Europe and that this fact alone demolished scaremongering that floods of workers would migrate to Malta on the country's accession to the EU to take over jobs from Maltese workers.

Minister Refalo announced that ITS would again organise short intensive courses in food and beverage service, both for those already in the industry as well as for those who wished to take up part-time or summer jobs in hotels and restaurants. "I hope that owners of hotels and catering establishments, especially those who intend to join the industry, will support this initiative and not let ITS down as happened last year."

Minister Refalo emphasised that the guide itself was tangible proof that the benefits of the tourist industry were not limited to those who worked in hotels and restaurants. To compile and publish the guide meant the input of many professions and crafts. Photographers, scanners, printers, lay-out artists, graphic designers, copy writers, advertising executives, salesmen, as well as the back-up staff necessary to bring contributions together, were professions and crafts that readily came to mind.

"This means that in whatever the tourist industry does or causes to be done many of us, although not traditionally associated with the industry, are actively involved and share in its benefits. If one asked oneself what percentage of one's earnings and work was derived from and depended on tourism, one would be surprised at the level of contribution which the industry makes to one's livelihood."

The Minister said that every one had a direct interest and a role to ensure the continued well-being of Malta's tourist industry. In conclusion, Minister Refalo, after again congratulating the authors and publishers on their initiative, said that to be able to successfully face and overcome the stiff challenges of 2001 the industry needed and would look for everyone's support.