PM hails Malta's tourism record

The Prime Minister this morning hailed Malta's new record in tourist arrivals, announced earlier by the NSO, and said the government's over-riding priority remained job creation.

Speaking during a visit to Palazzo Vittoriosa, which is being converted by a Dutch couple into a high-end guesthouse in Vittoriosa, Dr Gonzi observed that according to the official figures, 1.4 million tourists came to Malta last year, an increase of 6% from the previous year. Bednights were up 5% and spending by tourists reached €1.2 billion, or €3.3 million every day.

All this, Dr Gonzi said, translated into job creation and business. This was a the fourth tourism record in five years, he said, and it was achieved in very trying circumstances.

Such results, he insisted, were not a coincidence but a result of government policies aimed at creating the right business environment.

He pointed out that the government had provided a number of incentives for investors in tourism and SMEs in general, including  assistance for upgrading, promotion and training. It was also investing in improving the tourism product, which in the Cottonera was evidenced by the work at Vittoriosa seafront and now on the Dock 1 area.

The prime minister was accompanied by Tourism Minister Mario de Marco.