Tourism to benefit from €120m in EU funds

A total of €120 million in EU funds are being made available to the tourism industry up to 2013, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said this morning.

He told a press conference at the Aviation Museum that Malta up to last year had used €12m in EU funds for tourism-related projects including the building of new facilities for tourism studies in Gozo, restoration of historical sites including Greek's Gate and the Roman Villa and improved facilities for divers.

The Parliamentary Secretary stressed that Malta needed to continually "reinvent" tourism to maintain its attractiveness in the face of tough competition.

He said that some of the funds in the current EU budget would be used for landscaping, improved facilities for divers and better beach management.

A significant amount would be allocated for an upgrading of Qawra including the creation of an Oceanarium.

Funds would also be allocated for a new Museum of Marine Archaeology, an improvement of facilities at Fond Ghadir and upgrading of St Paul's Bay in a way which better conserved its fishing village characteristics.

A garigue heritage park would be set up at Pembroke, and the area near the Radisson and Corinthia San Gorg hotels would be upgraded.

Funds were also being used for a visitors' centre at Ggantija Temples and a shelter and walkway at Tarxien Temples.

Dr deMarco also pointed out that EU funds are currently also being used for a new shelter at Hagar Qim and for restoration of fortifications all around Malta.

He said €10 million were being allocated for a fund to help commercial enterprises which came up with projects linked to sustainable development.

€3.6 million were being channelled to human resources development.

On a personal note, Dr deMarco said it was his opinion that the remains of the Gloster Gladiator fighter currently at the War Museum should be transferred for restoration and display at the Aviation Museum, alongside the other two fighter aircraft which defended Malta in the Second World War - the Spitfire and the Hurricane.