Maltese tourism can weather the storm gathering as a result of the international financial crisis if stakeholders and the government work together, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco said.

He was speaking at the 2008 World Travel Market held this week in London.

Dr de Marco said the financial crisis was hitting the purchasing power of people all over the world just after soaring fuel prices this summer crippled the airline industry, bringing big names in the industry to their knees.

Travel trends are constantly changing, he said, with people travelling less and being more price conscious in choosing their destinations. Nonetheless, he insisted that he remains confident that the local industry can pull through.

The fair is an annual fixture that is considered to be one of the top tourism conventions in the world, bringing together businesses and providing a platform. This year, some 5,500 exhibitors from 200 countries and regions took part, including the Malta Tourism Authority and other local entrepreneurs.

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