De Marco meets students who witnessed attack on coach
The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, this morning met language students who had witnessed an attack on their coach driver during the transport strike. He apologised for the experience.
Dr de Marco said the Maltese were known as a hospitable people, and he hoped that the students would enjoy that hospitality while in Malta.
The students were in a coach which was attacked by striking public transport drivers outside St Dorothy School in Zebbug on Tuesday morning.
Dr de Marco called on the students at Sir Temi Zammit School in Mtarfa. He was accompanied by the chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, Sam Mifsud, and the CEO, Josef Formosa Gauci.
They spent some time chatting with the students about Malta and the importance of language studies within the tourism industry. They also handed out small souvenirs, books and publicity literature about Malta.
The students in comments to reporters described how they had seen a man banging on their coach. Despite attempt to hold him back, he boarded their coach and punched the driver.
The students – mostly Italian and some Romanians – said they understood that strikes happened some time, but they were otherwise enjoying their stay. They were grateful for the attention shown to them.
41 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Denis Catania
Jul 20th 2008, 23:26
@Michael Debono How about the money that goes to the host family and the pocket money they bring? That doesn't go into the Maltese economy.
Tony Muscat
Jul 20th 2008, 12:00
Every threat is an opportunity, and Dr. Demarco took it. Prosit. Good Job!
Michael Debono
Jul 19th 2008, 14:46
Those who make money out of foreign students are not the teachers; they are probably paid a misery, but those who organise the courses, the heads who probably earn as much as a number of tutors together. Tutors try to earn something extra to counter the rising cost of living. It is the heads who should have taken the initiative to try and minimise the effect of the strike.
If there is a fly in the ointment it should be pointed out to discard the ointment because it is polluted, and use a safer one. Though Malta is small it has its pride, otherwise we will be treated accordingly, like novices in the international sphere.
Sometimes it is useful for the man in the street to point out some misconceptions on the part of well intentioned authorities. Appearing before a judge even a culprit is recommended to plead not guilty.
I resent my government of whatever colour apologizing particularly to individuals, let alone young persons, when it has nothing to blame. The pride of a country is not proportional to its size.
PJ Mifsud
Jul 19th 2008, 07:49
Dear Mr Martinelli
The correct colloquial expression or idiom you intended to use is "to STICK OUT like a sore thumb". Given the number of personal attacks you attract on other blogs, I suppose that your thumb is a sorer one than mine. I believe you once stated on another blog that you cannot stand people using bad grammar for you still remember lessons given by your excellent former teachers of English at the Lyceum. Well, in that case, that makes two of us !!!
Denis Catania
Jul 19th 2008, 05:34
Minister DeMarco great job for the damage control. If the Police Commish John Rizzo would have done his job, on Monday and tear gassed the hell out of them, you would not had to be put in this position.
a.cassar
Jul 18th 2008, 23:55
Michael Debono why do you always have to be the fly in the ointment?
Charles DeMicoli
Jul 18th 2008, 22:34
Excellent damage control, Dr. deMarco, you make us proud. Michael Debono, there's nothing wrong with showing class. Dr. deMarco represents us Maltese, and he showed lots of class by meeting with these students and showing some empathy.
Angelo Vassallo
Jul 18th 2008, 19:55
@ Mario Camilleri
We have been seeing an increase after the other in the number of tourists coming to Malta in the last nineteen months, that is, since November 2006 simply because the present government and the one before that, have been working very had to put Malta back on the map of the tourism world.
You simply cannot compare us with Italy. Venice alone saw about 16,000,000 of non-Italian tourists in 2007. The Italians can afford to lose a couple of million but we cannot afford 100,000. When that happened we were in a crisis.
And please do not talk about bad roads any more. We have some really good roads now. Yes, still a lot more to do, always.
The only thing that I might agree a little bit with you is that we are still not giving value for money.
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jul 18th 2008, 19:33
Micheal Debono--- I am a tutor at one of these schools and believe me I don't get millions!!! I am what you and your ilk like to call a "haddiem"..........So you're suggesting that I pay from my pocket to compensate for what those bloodsucking cowboys of busdrivers did!!!........................Mur hu Kafe Mr.Debono!!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 18th 2008, 17:37
@ Michael Debono - 'Perhaps the tutors, who make money from these schools': anything wrong with working for one's living? Any chip on your shoulder?
valerie scicluna
Jul 18th 2008, 16:09
Nice move Dr. de Marco. you are certainly a chip off the old block!
Chris Borg
Jul 18th 2008, 15:11
@ Michael Caruana....one of the main reasons why millions hate Thatcher in Britain, especially out of the south-east of England, is the way in which she treated coal miners and their communities........
Michael Debono
Jul 18th 2008, 15:06
"For 30 years I have never heard an Italian politician apologize for “even worst things” A contributor.
No you will never hear a responsible politician in government apologising for anything done wrong by the citizens. If this habit starts then we shall have pages of newspapers with government notices apologising for this and that done by the citizens who break the law.
An apology was not in order. Anything except apology by a Government Minister
Had it been an action by the Government then an apology would not be out of place.
Perhaps the tutors, who make money from these schools, could have explained the position and compensated the students concerned by some sort of action on their own initiative. But an apology from a Govt. Minister shows a kind of foreign inferiority complex. Some national dignity is not out of place.
According to what is reported the students retorted “that strikes happen everywhere”. It seems they were not impressed by what happened and appear to say: “No need to apologies”
J. Martinelli
Jul 18th 2008, 14:46
Well done Dr. Mario deMarco - you have been tutored well by your parentS. It seems that you have no difficulty following your dad's footsteps.
@ PJ Mifsud
You stand our like a sore thumb.
Mario camilleri
Jul 18th 2008, 14:33
I want to thank Mr. demarco for his kind gesture but i dont think much damage was done just because there was a 4 day strike! Italy is known for all kind kind of strikes but tourists keep going. it's a known fact that the majority of tourists don't come back to Malta because they are not getting the expected services for the money they are spending. the damage was done because of lack of adequate services, overcharging, bad roads, dirty beaches. let's not blame the bus drivers when we all know that it's all our fault!!
Reuben Zammit
Jul 18th 2008, 14:26
What a gentleman!!! Like father, like son.
P. Attard
Jul 18th 2008, 13:47
I guess it would be appropriate to give a similar gift and hamper to the driver who was beaten up.
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jul 18th 2008, 13:21
From a Tefl teacher myself ----well done Mr.De Marco.....this is the way tourists should be treated...............the TEFL Industry appretiates such moves.............such actions go a thousand miles to repair the damage caused.....again Well Done!!
PJ Mifsud
Jul 18th 2008, 13:05
@ David Mifsud
Instead of trying to be funny, you had better learn to express yourself properly in what you think is English. Probably what you intended to write is as follows:
I hope Dr de Marco reminded the students to behave well, to refrain from staying up late at nights and not to litter public places.
Au Camilleri
Jul 18th 2008, 12:58
This is truly a NEW BEGINNING!
No need for a change in government to have a new beginning and a new generation!
We already have it now.
Prosit!
Anthony Sammut
Jul 18th 2008, 12:43
As a proud Maltese citizen I would like to thank Dr DeMarco for apologizing also on my behalf . Thank yous' are also due to Dr Gatt and Dr Gonzi. I was a proud Maltese, and I am now even more proud. THANK YOU ALL
Saviour A Ellul-Bonici
Jul 18th 2008, 11:54
Absolutely full marks Dr.de Marco, a bit of diplomacy goes a long way.( Figlio degno di papa) Well done.
Neil Dent
Jul 18th 2008, 11:53
An excellent and timely piece of PR for Malta from the Parliamentary Secretary. Well done Mr. De Marco. This act is surely 'damage control' to a degree, but what a shame the same kind of gesture can not be extended to all those affected by this week's disgusting actions from a certain pack of individuals.
c gatt
Jul 18th 2008, 11:50
@david muscat
So you want the students to behave more late at night and to litter properly? Why? don't thy litter enough?
suggest you join them for some English language lessons LOL!
Michael Caruana
Jul 18th 2008, 11:46
Well Done Dr De Marco for taking this iniative. Another well done to Dr Austin Gatt for standing his ground. Just like the Coal Miners in the UK the Maltese Bus Drivers had to step down in the face of excellent leadership.
However a Big round of boos for Minister Mifsuf Bonnici and the Commissioner of Police, where were you during all this? The Commissioner reportedly even offered to mediate. I thought the Commissioner was there to serve and to PROTECT.
Martin Frendo
Jul 18th 2008, 11:43
these are the sort of Politicians we want to see around.
well done Dr Mario Demarco.
keep up the good work.. and the contact with all levels of people within your ministry
Mauro Ossola
Jul 18th 2008, 11:37
Maybe I missed the news, but did any trade unionist, bus driver or simple representative of the transport organizations apologize too ?
Anyway I think that dr De Marco's is a fine gesture, a proof of sensibility and civic sense, hope the Italian students will bring this example at home with them as the best souvenir of their experience, considering also that in 30 years I've never heard
a single Italian politician apologize for much worse things.
david mifsud
Jul 18th 2008, 11:27
@@ Renato J. Costigan
trauma ?? r u serious ??
hope Dr Demarco adressed the students to behave more late at nigts ! and to litter properly......
Peter Xuereb
Jul 18th 2008, 11:25
I must applaud Mario de Marco's proactive work here to repair some of the damage done to our tourism industry during the recent strike.
Unfortunately, as we all know, it is much easier to break things than to fix them, so the violence displayed by a very small minority of thugs will likely leave a lasting impression. However, I do think that de Marco's hands-on approach here will go a long way to mitigate this.
Well done Mario for taking the initiative.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 18th 2008, 11:01
I think that Dr De Marco has been doing a marvellous job in these circumstances, along with Dr Austin Gatt. Meeting the students like this, trying to 'make up' for the misdemeanours of the 'strikers' in these last days, was a step in the right direction.
How about having an apology to the nation from these strikers??????
Angelo Vassallo
Jul 18th 2008, 10:51
Congratulations Dr de Marco, Sam Mifsud and Josef Formosa Gauci for your gesture. We need to make up as soon as possible for all the damage done to the tourism industry by the transport drivers
I think that the person who attacked the coach driver during the transport strike, if found guilty in court, he should be obliged to go to these students and apologise, just as the above-mentioned gentle did.
M. Debono
Jul 18th 2008, 10:47
This is simply WOW ... i was not expecting this to happen. Congrats for the initiative. It would be also great to visit tourist zones on a weekly roster and show that you mean business against over-charging, no prices attached to products, taxi drivers/bus drivers wearing no uniforms ... and the story continues. The Parliamentary Secretary will be able to shoot down immediately any uncalled for behaviour and people would think twice NOW to act arrogantly and shelfishly, coz they are being monitored from the top, and not by Chalie the Inspector, whom they meet everyday for a coffee.
Keep it going Dr. De Marco and your NEW team @ MTA.
Rmicallef
Jul 18th 2008, 10:41
Well done Dr de Marco. Excellent job !!
Renato J. Costigan
Jul 18th 2008, 10:38
Dr. Mario de Marco, thank you for apologising in the name
of the Maltese people. Although the trauma will remain
on these students but the hospitality in general of the
Maltese will diminish it.
It was very wise that you in the name of the government go there
and chat with the students and handling them souvenirs.
WELL DONE once again and you are always in our hearts.
kevin debono
Jul 18th 2008, 10:34
nice 'show' DR.Demarco........like father like son !!!..............
saviour mifsud
Jul 18th 2008, 10:27
THE LAW IS EQUAL TO ALL. THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW MUST PAY.
MARGARET THATCHER WAS THE IRON LADY, AUSTIN GATT IS THE GOLDEN BOY
A. Borg
Jul 18th 2008, 10:25
10 out of 10 for Mario De Marco!!! Good job to keep Malta's integrity at a high level. Thanks for all the work you did during this strike.
Keep it up!!!
Mario Gauci
Jul 18th 2008, 10:22
What better way. Dr Mario DeMarco has certainly shown what he is worth. Well done to him and his generals.
J.Smith
Jul 18th 2008, 10:17
Well done Dr. De Marco. your attention to detail does not go unnoticed. I am very glad you have taken the initiative to patch what others massed up....and ensuring that....your apology on behalf of all Malta.....is sending a clear message to tourists alike that we care about you all. I am sure this nice gesture went miles to make their stay that little more memorable with a happy ending..
Well done to DR GAtt, Dr De Marco and DR Gonzi.
m farrugia
Jul 18th 2008, 10:16
Prosit Dr De Marco, as your predecessor, you're doing a lovely job in striving to improve tourism. It's a pity that these thugs thought they good get attention by targeting tourists. They should be punished severly for their acts. We must show all foreigners that these thugs are only an exception on our island as otherwise our island is a beautiful and safe country. It was a pleasure this week to be on some of our beautiful beaches, which were full of tourists in rented cars. At least for car rental garages, the strike seems to have been a blessing.
Mark Anthony Portelli
Jul 18th 2008, 10:15
Well done! -