Tourism initiatives not enough - GRTU

The proposals announced earlier in the week to boost tourism clearly reflect that the government is not fully conscious of the extent of the sector's problems, according to the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU.

While the initiatives were a step in the right direction, they were clearly not enough, the GRTU said in a statement.

The gist of the statement was in line with the GRTU's vociferous calls in favour of bringing in low-cost airlines.

Though support schemes will be given to all airlines to operate to specific destinations during the winter months, the GRTU said the routes chosen favoured one particular low-cost airline and not its competitors. With a clear reference to Ryanair, the GRTU said that the government should have seriously heeded claims made by airlines that guaranteed substantial increases in tourists throughout the year to the extent that they were prepared to issue a performance bond.

The GRTU believes the landing fees charged by Malta International Airport are excessive and that the government should intervene to bridge the gap.

"The GRTU is appealing to the government to make sure Malta is better served by cheaper airlines that reach more tourists - in the interest of the Maltese as well," it said.