The tourism industry in Malta will soon exit another successful year in terms of arrivals. Almost 30 per cent of those who come here do not use any of the licensed accommodation facilities. Still, the hotels have had a good year and most service providers enjoyed an outstanding 12 months, although the ripple effect may not have reached everybody.

This sector is certainly a success because the Labour government did not change or fiddle with the formula that was devised and fine-tuned by a Nationalist government.

The fact that many players at the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta and the Institute of Tourism Studies have abandoned ship or were sidelined on political grounds will, however, is bound to have a negative effect in the long run.

Over the past 18 months, the Nationalist Party has been pro active, making concrete suggestions, in sharp contrast with the government’s arid ideas. A new vision on tourism is now expected to be launched in March 2015, that is, two full years after the last general election when we had been promised a road map.

But let us now speak now about the Malta product.

In the past, a number of projects were taken in hand to improve the infrastructure in different localities. The number of such projects seem to have diminished now. As an Opposition, we would like to make a gentle appeal, lest we are accused of being negative, for such initiatives to continue, including road upgrades.

Malta is not as clean as it should be. Visitors wander all over the country and go to areas that are not necessarily labelled as being tourist zones.

The country’s national airline, Air Malta, is a real worry. It is even said it is technically bankrupt.

Various meetings and trips to Asia have, so far, failed to secure a sale. Asian companies may consider our airline too small, with an inadequate fleet to suit their operations, complement their own carriers and operate as a hub. With Rome being a closer hub, our importance is relative. Incidentally, it is said that Air China will start flying to Malta in April, with the service possibly being linked to cruises.

Air Malta’s operating costs have soared over the past months, with the direct intervention of the government, if not Castille. Employment was rampant because of electoral promises.

The structure plan approved by the European Commission is doomed to fail.

I suspect we would have to wait to know who is likely to be the saviour of our national airline, probably the forum being a Sunday morning sermon hint.

Seat factors, revenues and accelerating costs over the past months are a recipe likely to put Air Malta in a situation where it would not be able to abide by the conditions of the restructuring plan in due course.

It seems that a budget, which is miles away from the restructuring plan, was accepted.

The government should explain to the people the real situation at Air Malta

Ignoring the urgent situation, the government was more interested in votes than in the ongoing plan. We sincerely hope airline employees, who really care about the airline and work hard for it, will not be the ones who will ultimately suffer.

The government should explain to the people the real situation at Air Malta and assure the industry and stakeholders that the company will remain Maltese and be put on the right track again.

The tourism school still does not cater for frontline staff such as reception and front desk. Nor does it cater for the huge influx we are seeing in foreigners coming over to work in hotels and restaurants.

The PN suggested holding a crash course in basic knowledge, leading to a certificate, for those seeking employment in this sector. But since this suggestion was made by the PN during parliamentary debates it was not even considered. Just like a kitchen staff member follows a food handling course, our proposal was for a similar course to be held for front liners and foreign staff.

We have been very careful in our approach, avoiding confrontation, putting forward a myriad of useful suggestions. It is the Labour government that is not so positive in its approach, whether wilfully or unknowingly.

We will continue to act responsibly because this sector is crucial in terms of jobs and investment, indeed for the economy.

We will continue to be pro-active in our approach, politely urging the government to equal the PN’s achievements and also raise the bar for all to benefit. This is the new PN, which I proudly represent.

Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP.