Two tourism organisations yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding through which they will share information and work together to strengthen the profession.

The Institute of Hospitality and the Malta Tourism Society signed the agreement through which their members will benefit from assistance and benefits enjoyed by members of the other organisation.

Such benefits include the exchange of information and knowledge, as well as other resources which may be useful to the dissemination and development of a more sustainable, responsible and professional tourism activity for Malta and Gozo.

“This agreement will allow the institute and society to ensure that human resources are more and more trained in the tourism industry,” said Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco as he presided over the signing of the memorandum.

He noted that it was estimated that the tourism industry employed about 40,000 full and part timers.

The product offered to tourists was not limited to historical sites and beaches. The human resources element was an important product that should not be overlooked, he said.