Labour was aiming for an expanded and more profitable tourism industry, acting Labour leader Charles Mangion told employees at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa in Ghajn Tuffieha when he met them on Saturday.

Leading a party delegation to extend Christmas greetings to workers at the five-star hotel, Dr Mangion said the MLP had drawn up several development plans over the past few months for Gozo, Bugibba, Grand Harbour and the south of Malta to contribute to the growth of tourism.

Growth in tourism went beyond low-cost airlines, which contributed to the industry. Air Malta had spurred the industry's expansion over the last few years, he said.

While the national airline must be competitive internationally, it needed support to be the flagship of the tourism industry's development.

Island Hotels' operations, sales and marketing director Winton J. Zahra, outlined the resort's record success: The hotel was among three international hotels recognised by the United Nations for its environmental initiatives this year.

The Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa has a staff complement of 340. Island Hotels Group employs 1,500 people.