Who are the big spenders?

So, Albert Gauci Cunningham thinks that the students are big spenders.

Let's see: Lm352 per head (his figures). There is of course the school to pay for. Then the hotel/host family. I wonder how much is left over for spending.

This is income for Malta.

But what about expenses? Last year the Valletta local council had to pay for people, with high pressure water hoses in hand, to clean up the chewing gum the students left behind. Paceville has to employ extra cleaners to clear up the mess made by the students.

I note that Mr Gauci Cunningham lives in St Paul's Bay where I would imagine not many students stay. He should spend some time in the Swieqi/St Julians area They are ill-mannered, have no regard when crossing the road and don't believe in queuing for buses.

As for ex-service people coming back to Malta, he has no idea of what he is talking about.

Not only do the servicemen and women come back year after year but so do there children and a number of them winter in Malta for three to four months.

A reunion will be held in November; a number (120-150) of former Royal Marines come here every year, and the numbers are growing. They come from as far away as Canada.

Two of them were on the Malta convoys. One is 85 and the other 84.

They will keep on coming here for as long as they are able to and they don't stay for one week but spend a month or more. And they do spend money.