Hoteliers welcome 'dampening' of measures to offset fuel prices

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said the government was careful in dampening the impact of the hike in petrol prices and the power surcharge on consumers and industry.

This, it added, was very much in line with the recommendations made during the discussion on this issue at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

MHRA president Justin Zammit Tabona said that at the stage the country had reached in terms of fuel purchases hefty increases in electricity charges appeared inevitable.

The association's concern was that increases should be evenly spread in order not to stunt economic progress, particularly in the case of operators in the tourism sector who were already under pressure.

Mr Zammit Tabona said the retention of the capping on the surcharge for hotels was a step in the right direction, although the proposed increase could require some further clarification and discussion as it would inevitably have a negative effect on operations that cannot be recouped given the advance contracting hotels make with tour operators.

Also welcome was the scheme whereby hotels and other operators could recoup some of the expenses on diesel which is being replaced by a substitute fuel.

He said the impact of the announced increases had to be seen in the light of the national budget to be presented on Monday.

Mr Zammit Tabona said the MHRA would like to see improved methods of oil purchases, a more efficient Enemalta, a strong ongoing campaign to educate the public on how to economise in the use of electricity and the pursuit of alternative methods of power generation.