Visiting card for tourists!
The best way to convince tourists that Malta is the ultimate destination is by giving them an incentive to visit our country. Yes, there are already incentives, offers and discount schemes applicable but why not introduce a Travel Card? The idea is...
The best way to convince tourists that Malta is the ultimate destination is by giving them an incentive to visit our country. Yes, there are already incentives, offers and discount schemes applicable but why not introduce a Travel Card?
The idea is simple and does not require a huge infrastructural investment. Yet the potential rewards of this card are unlimited.
As with credit cards, the Travel Card could be offered at various levels from basic to platinum, with a price varying from free to several hundred euro. Businesses would offer discounts and incentives to holders of the card and would pay a yearly fee to cover the administration costs of the scheme. The idea is not original; there is no need to reinvent the wheel. A similar card is available in Madrid (), which enables its holder to visit most of the major attractions for free or for a nominal fee.
Ideally, this swipe card would be sold to tourists before they come to Malta. They could apply for it online - my suggestion is that it is handled by the Malta Tourist Authority - and be sent the card by post with a "discount" booklet of where incentives can be redeemed together with an information pack about Malta, similar to the Lonely Planet travel guides (possibly through a joint venture with established travel guide companies).
Furthermore, the recipient will be offered an invitation to travel to Malta for free (on certain dates) on Air Malta - except for taxes. MTA would cover the cost of travel from its marketing fund. Use of the card could be tracked each time it is used, enabling businesses to monitor its success, and in the meantime build up a profile of users. The basic card would have to offer discounts on museum entrances, public bus travel, ferry fares to Gozo, as well as discounts from selected outlets and restaurants. Each subsequent level of the card could offer more and more, perhaps free museum entrances, bus travel and ferry tickets, perhaps free meals, and entrance to sports and cultural events.
Why not offer more than one free trip for silver, gold or platinum users? This would entice people to become repeat customers.
Tourists can be sent a statement showing him or her how much they saved while in Malta. And why not renew their card automatically the following year? The initiative can work if there is a collective effort from all the different sectors that contribute to tourism in Malta.
• Mr Sciberras is an accountant working in the IT sector.
adrscib@gmail.com
The idea is simple and does not require a huge infrastructural investment. Yet the potential rewards of this card are unlimited.
As with credit cards, the Travel Card could be offered at various levels from basic to platinum, with a price varying from free to several hundred euro. Businesses would offer discounts and incentives to holders of the card and would pay a yearly fee to cover the administration costs of the scheme. The idea is not original; there is no need to reinvent the wheel. A similar card is available in Madrid (), which enables its holder to visit most of the major attractions for free or for a nominal fee.
Ideally, this swipe card would be sold to tourists before they come to Malta. They could apply for it online - my suggestion is that it is handled by the Malta Tourist Authority - and be sent the card by post with a "discount" booklet of where incentives can be redeemed together with an information pack about Malta, similar to the Lonely Planet travel guides (possibly through a joint venture with established travel guide companies).
Furthermore, the recipient will be offered an invitation to travel to Malta for free (on certain dates) on Air Malta - except for taxes. MTA would cover the cost of travel from its marketing fund. Use of the card could be tracked each time it is used, enabling businesses to monitor its success, and in the meantime build up a profile of users. The basic card would have to offer discounts on museum entrances, public bus travel, ferry fares to Gozo, as well as discounts from selected outlets and restaurants. Each subsequent level of the card could offer more and more, perhaps free museum entrances, bus travel and ferry tickets, perhaps free meals, and entrance to sports and cultural events.
Why not offer more than one free trip for silver, gold or platinum users? This would entice people to become repeat customers.
Tourists can be sent a statement showing him or her how much they saved while in Malta. And why not renew their card automatically the following year? The initiative can work if there is a collective effort from all the different sectors that contribute to tourism in Malta.
• Mr Sciberras is an accountant working in the IT sector.
adrscib@gmail.com