Call for change at tourism helm

Labour MPs Evarist Bartolo and Joe Cuschieri yesterday complained about the state of tourism.

In a statement on the occasion of World Tourism Day, the two MPs said that for tourism to get back on track it needed a change at the Tourism Ministry and new leadership.

The MPs predicted that the government will fail to attract the target of 50,000 more tourists than last year.

"The government is leaving the country without a strategic plan in tourism and without serious planning for the future," they said.

They complained about the closing down of hotels, which was leading to tourists who were interested in coming to Malta not finding accommodation.

They said the closure of hotels was badly affecting employment.