Brian Simmons, Birchington, UK.
Not a cheap destination
I read the letters in The Times most days, but have not noticed any letters about the exchange rate offered to tourists as highlighted by Anthony Curmi on January 3.
In over 20 years of visiting Malta I have never had a problem and always shopped around for the best rate, often found in Bugibba. Anyone changing currency in a hotel accepts that they will receive an inferior rate. This is the same in any country. Tourists were more likely to "lose" liri when the 50c coin was "confused" by some unscrupulous traders and a few bus drivers, with the very similar 25c coin. I have seen this happen. I am unsure why Mr Curmi should raise this point and I have to wonder if it's the tourists that he actually objects to?
I dislike the euro. In my view it seems only to have advantages for international trade among big companies and other such financial institutions. I accept that moving around the eurozone, as a tourist, using one currency is helpful, but is it not part of a country's individuality to find different currencies when encountering such a journey? The only effect that it has, to the public, is to raise prices.
In recent months the £1 had slipped from 68p to 74p per euro but I am happy to sacrifice that for the independence and pride that having our own currency and heritage gives. It is my hope that Malta will not suffer with price inflation in the same way as some other European countries have. Some of those countries now wish that they had never accepted the euro.
I understand that as a small country Malta had no choice, once agreeing to join the EU, about accepting the euro. I hope it will not lose its identity with these changes. I hope that I will still continue to visit my valued friends in Malta each year, but if the euro does too much damage, as I believe it will, I may need to reduce my visits as Malta, even now, is not a cheap destination.
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Julian Goffin
Jan 14th 2008, 21:05
With regards to Cecil Cassar's response, yes the UK is higher priced than Malta, but you do have to look at the wages that people in the UK receive. The average annual wage in the UK is £20,916 GBP. Therefore of course the resturants and hotels etc are going to be inflated compared to Maltese prices. I have been coming to Malta now since 1978 and love the country that has its own individuality and wonderfully independent and proud citizens. Lets hope that the euro doesn't change the Maltese.
Anthony Borg
Jan 14th 2008, 18:40
With the introduction of the euro we are supposed to compare prices in the eurozone. Is this why prices are being raised to reach european standards? But what about comparing wages and decent services that are enjoyed in the eurozone. It seems that the comparasins are selective!
Melvyn Blake
Jan 14th 2008, 15:58
As a visitor of some 40 years to the Maltese islands, I am more concerned by the exhorbitant prices demanded for larger items, particularly electrical goods.
The UK is awash with large screen tv's, computers, cars, cameras etc; and in real terms the prices of these items have never been cheaper.
Perhaps someone will confirm whether the advent of the Euro will benefit Maltese residents, lowering prices to levels enjoyed throughout the E.U?
Tim Ripard
Jan 14th 2008, 14:52
Perhaps Mr Simmons would like to spend a night in a 3-star hotel in Vienna with no facilities except for a small bar-corner, served by the duty receptionist for about euro 170 per night on bed and breakfast for a twin room (i.e. 2 persons) - and that's the low, off-peak, price. In Malta I paid euro 35 per night for a hotel with better facilities (in Sliema). Maybe he'd like to compare car-hire prices with those in other destinations? Maybe he can find a pint of beer for euro1.17 somewhere else in Europe? Malta is excellent value for tourists. If Mr Simmons thinks it's expensive, I shudder to think what he'd say of France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and the UK, which I know are much more expensive. Consumer goods, electronics and cars are much cheaper here in Vienna though!
Shaun Camilleri
Jan 14th 2008, 13:43
Yeah right, but what I'd like to point out to Ms Cassar is that
1) By comparing the prices to other countries in the eurozone, they can't be changed, and everyone knows that prices in Malta are of the most high in the EU, and
2)Please cut the hospitality and entertainment costs, what we'd like to go lower are prices for everyday necessities, such as food and beverages!!
Cecil Cassar
Jan 14th 2008, 10:24
On the contrary, the Euro will allow everyone in Malta to compare prices transparently across the rest of the Eurozone. The UK is now isolated with regards to currency as the rest of Europe moves ahead in an integrated financial environment. Even though the British Pound has hit its lowest value ever against the Euro, the UK is still far more expensive than Malta even for simple things such as the cost of Hotels, eating out and buying drinks.