Putting on the style

One doubts that the new Malta Tourism Authority CEO really enjoys a packet of Lm45,000 plus, as some suggest. The experience he took along was not gained in the tourism industry. He needs to earn his spurs as a tourism executive. That takes time. Most hoteliers now in harness were trained for years by their elders. None waltzed into a large packet unrelated to experience and personal risk.

The CEO did take along a particular management style, combining something borrowed, something new. He deployed the new element on the authority's marketing director. He called him in and presented him with a letter terminating his contract (The Times, November 22).

No reason for the summary execution was revealed. The CEO obviously knew his employment law: A definite contract can be terminated without just cause, and so even for whatever unjust reason one might dream up.

The style contrasted with what has not taken place where political responsibility for tourism resides. There is more than just cause for removing the Tourism Minister. His record is abysmal. Yet, the Prime Minister turns a blind eye, probably because of a script code named "John Dalli".

If the PM drops the failed Tourism Minister he would have to chop other rotting wood. He would be expected to give the Cabinet a strong blood injection. He would bring on two or three backbenchers who champ at the bit with promise, not mere ambition.

Many in his party would also expect the PM to take back into the Cabinet the former long-serving Finance Minister. Or, explain why not. Loud whispers say the PM and his party bosses will not have Mr Dalli back in high office, assuming he was disposed to return. The Tourism Minister's bacon remains safe. The gentleman stays put, sporting the incompetence tag without blinking. Hoteliers and others stress the sharp contrast with the way the MTA's new CEO jettisoned a very competent marketing director.

A report in last Sunday's MaltaToday had MTA "sources" saying that 27 months after the terminated marketing director's appointment the expected im-provement in tourism performance had not materialised, leaving the authority no room for manoeuvre but to act. The blatant spin will make those who have seen the MTA wallowing under the burden of the tandem of the Tourism Minister and the previous chairman/CEO want to throw up.

The former chairman/CEO reflected precisely the borrowed element in the new CEO's style - his use of the MTA's funds in the case of the marketing director. The chairman/CEO had resigned, with a part of his definite contract still to go. At law, he was obliged to pay the MTA half the remuneration due up to the end of his contract. Instead, the MTA paid him for the full remainder. That suggested the gentleman had not really resigned, he was pushed. Possibly, by a reluctant PM who could no longer take the flak. If that were the case, the contract of chairman/CEO could have been terminated - against payment to him of half what he would have received up to the end of the contract period.

The new CEO put on a new style and bluntly terminated the marketing director. He also borrowed the government's old style, and paid the official the total - not half - of what he would have received to the end of the contract.

That reveals the CEO, or someone higher, ached to turn the marketing director out. That aching resulted in the pain of MTA money again being paid out without getting anything back in return.

Amidst such waste of human and financial resources, the PM announced that the draft tourism plan was, finally, completed. The authority's CEO could not have left a thumbprint on it. Aside from being inexperienced in tourism, he was not in his post long enough.

Meanwhile, recommendations by the tourism consultative group, referred to in the Budget Speech five weeks ago, remained under wraps, even though - it is well known - they relate mostly to basic domestic action.

This has not been a very stylish and inspiring start to the new tourism year.