PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TOURISM Deputy Prime Minister meets with tourism industry stakeholders

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg is meeting with the country's tourism stakeholders for talks on their plans, challenges and sustainability initiatives for this vital industry.

As soon as he was entrusted with the tourism portfolio two weeks ago, the Deputy Prime Minister invited the organisations representing key players in the industry for these initial discussions.

Following introductory talks with the Malta Tourism Authority and other government entities and authorities, this week the Minister held talks with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the Association of Catering Establishments (ACE), the Gozo Tourism Association (GTA), the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU), the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM), the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA) and the Malta Development Association (MDA).

“Through these meetings, we are pinpointing areas where the Government can continue supporting the investors and workers of this industry, to consolidate the post-pandemic revival of the last few years," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Despite the pandemic and the international energy crisis, the Government, the private sector and other stakeholders worked together to steer this industry towards new heights, with record tourist arrivals and expenditure figures. Looking forward, we are embracing a shared vision on how we can build on this success, with a renewed focus on quality and sustainability. Implementing this vision requires a greater effort and commitment by all stakeholders, public and private. We will keep supporting all tangible initiatives in this direction," he added.  

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism will continue meeting other tourism stakeholders in coming weeks.