Tourism is everybody's responsibility

With reference to Sean Micelle's letter (July 12), I would like to point out that the government is doing its utmost in the tourism sector.

The Institute of Tourism Studies, which, incidentally, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, organises, apart from its normal courses, several other short courses on all aspects of tourism. These are held in the evening. All employers in the tourism sector know about these courses and I think it is their duty to ascertain that all their employees are up to standard in customer care attitudes.

Furthermore, the ETC also holds courses related to the tourism sector and which are there for anyone who wishes to take advantage of them.

Thus, the power is not only in the Tourism Minister's hands but also in the hands of all those people directly or indirectly involved in the industry.

This is not to mean that the government has abdicated its responsibilities and left it all to the private sector. This is not the case. About two years ago, the Prime Minister appointed an inter-ministerial committee, headed by himself and composed of various ministers, in order to address the various issues arising in the tourism industry. This committee has taken plenty of initiatives such as several embellishment projects, the building of new roads, restoration of our cultural heritage and increasing the cleaning and washing services provided especially in tourist zones. Furthermore, the Minister for Tourism, through the Malta Tourism Authority, has appointed a zone officer for each tourist area to provide assistance and ensure that these places are well kept.

Contrary to what the other correspondent says, I believe the minister is using his power by working hard and always communicating the same message: tourism is everybody's responsibility and, thus, all of us should act properly for the benefit of our country.