The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association yesterday described Air Malta as an indispensable tourism partner and welcomed efforts being made to help it start thriving again.

“The tourism industry has a lot to thank Air Malta for, as it was pivotal to the growth of tourism to what it is today. However, the world is changing, particularly post the economic recession, and only those that embrace the necessary change will survive and thrive,” it said.

“Without Air Malta, we will probably lose the conference business, the specialist tour operator business and other important niches that the airline has developed over the years.”

The MHRA said immediate changes had to be made so that Air Malta could start thriving again.

It said changing trends among holidaymakers, tougher competition and rising costs presented a huge challenge to the entire tourism industry and all players would have to find ways to best survive.

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