Wednesday, 27th August 2008
Talking Point
Our tourism environment
We cannot have a sustainable tourism industry if we do not maintain, conserve, and upgrade our environment. This fact is unequivocally stated in our national tourism policy. As a matter of fact, the first two policy objectives of the Tourism Policy for the Maltese Islands 2007-2011 are:
"To manage tourism in Malta and Gozo on the principles of sustainable development";
"To maintain and conserve environmental and socio-cultural resources, being the key elements of the Maltese Islands' tourism product".
Our tourism policy and plan not only recognises the essential role played by the environment but also includes a list of actions that need to be taken to ensure that tourism development overall enhances not devalues our environment. One such action states that: "We will formulate clear criteria for assessing public and private proposals for projects on the basis of their contribution to tourism, to environmental protection and to social well-being".
It could be that the Malta Tourism Authority's product development directorate or its consultants took in the past too narrow a view when assessing tourism development applications, ignoring environmental considerations on the understanding that these will be looked into by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Likewise Mepa did not comment on tourism aspects of a development application, leaving such considerations to the MTA.
The Tourism Policy for the Maltese Islands 2007-2011 demanded a change in this procedure. It is unfortunate that apparently the change in procedure may have taken longer than one would have wished for. Any report drawn up by the MTA after the Tourism Policy for the Maltese Islands 2007-2011 was adopted in January 2007, ought to take into account environment considerations.
Furthermore the National Tourism Policy and Plan include no reference to the need to spread places of entertainment to the north. The government does believe, however, in the need to enhance the quality of the product we offer in St Paul's Bay, Buġibba and Qawra and to this effect has recently approved three EU funded projects to the value of €12 million consisting in the creation of a promenade at St Paul's Bay, a new sandy beach in Qawra and a visitors attraction with diving facilities at Qawra Point.
It is fundamental that all decisions taken by the MTA and the Tourism Policy Unit, to approve or disapprove any tourism related projects, are to be taken on the basis of how this project will help us achieve the policy objectives of the National Tourism Policy, including that of protecting our environment.
Much has been done by both the government and the private sector over the past years to improve our tourism offering. Having said this, I would be the first to agree that much more needs to be done. I can assure readers of one thing: Tourism development should not happen at the expense of our environment. If anything, our future depends on making the most of our environment to attract the ever growing segment of environment-conscious tourists. It is, after all, the Malta we want to live in, the Malta to which we want to welcome our tourists, and the Malta we want to pass on to our children.
Dr de Marco is Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism.
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Comments
We all know this and agree with it.
However if Dr Demarco wishes us to believe that the future will be any different from the recent past his article should have stated " tourism development WILL NOT happen ... ".
He is after all in a position to insist on this and to do something about it !
I wrote to MTA about the distasteful scenerio around the three 4star hotels in Mellieha village. All three are overlooking tower cranes. Two of these tower cranes were errected in June, the month when tourism peaks. The brochures portray views of the blue Mellieha Beach yet when the guests arrive, they are faced with tower cranes. One particular 4star has actually got two tower cranes hovering over its rooftop pool. Its beyond belief what the guests have got to put up with.
The pass the buck answer from MTA was to pass my complaint on to Mepa. What is the point of having MTA in the first place? Well this week we got the answer from the Chairman himself. MTA cannot be bothered to take the environment on board.
I think he is on the right track , one word of warning, before going for number first go for quality, number will automatically follow once the quality is coming to Malta. Please stop listening to those around you who will keep trying to justify more and more monies spent on he UK & German markets, they've been doing that for years and won't change their way cos of their own hidden agendas! Diversify, grow Italy, France, Spain Portugal, go for quality advertising, in quality mags etc, in these markets !
You'll find this difficult, but if you insist MTA will have no choice but to follow what you say !! Don't be scared of them there, do what you ahve to do, and what you feel is best and you'll be an even bigger success !!
Malta is so tiny and in my opinion it should be kept spotless even though many Maltese are careless and still dump garbage on the streets which is a shame.
Government need to have a promotional program to educate people to keep the country clean. This should be followed by action by the government to clean our streets and by the police to charge those who throw garbage on the streets.
Both government and the people need more will power.
He is the future and it is very unfortunate that the PN's propoganda machine is not 'so friendly' towards him and his family.
When one considers the fact the 'party machine' of the PN is much more influential in chosing its leaders than that of the MLP, Dr. Mario Demarco will certainly have a great struggle ahead of him in the near future.
I wish Dr Mario Demarco the best in his political career and hope and pray that he will make it to the top spot soon.
Good luck Mar!