Seventeen projects for the construction or extension of hotels are currently under way, reflecting the private sector's confidence in tourism, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said yesterday.

Speaking during the presentation of tourism awards by Skål International - an activity which coincided with World Tourism Day - Dr Zammit Dimech underlined the importance of tourism for the national economy.

He said that investment in the tourism sector came mostly from the private sector, which had confidence in tourism and in the future of this industry.

This confidence was reflected in the investment in new hotels and extensions currently under construction. There were 17 projects for the construction of new hotels or extensions with a total investment of Lm52 million.

Besides, three major projects - Cottonera, Manoel Island and Tigné Point and the Cruise Liner Passenger Terminal - were also being carried out by the private sector with an investment of about Lm170 million.

Dr Zammit Dimech said that the number of tourists visiting Malta grew by 14,845, or 3.1 per cent, in the first half of this year. Figures compiled by the Malta International Airport showed an increase of 1.5 per cent in passenger movements in July and another increase of 2.4 per cent in August.

Even more encouraging was the fact that while tourism increased by 2.3 per cent in the first five months of this year, earnings from this sector went up by 9.8 per cent.

The tourism sector was a very competitive sector that called for the continuous upgrading of the product.

"All stakeholders in the tourism sector should strive to improve our product" he said, adding that the Malta Tourism Authority, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and other stakeholders are working in this direction.