Operators in the tourism industry are seriously concerned about the damage being caused to Malta's image as a tourist destination by the transport strike and the accompanying violence.
Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco said the effects of the transport strike will be felt in the long run.
While striking was a right, this was being abused, especially in the case of those who were intimidating the Unscheduled Bus Service drivers and tourists, who had nothing to do with the matter.
A number of tour operators were already calling from overseas, inquiring whether they should cancel flights to Malta, Dr de Marco said. The Tourism Ministry was assuring them it was doing its utmost for business to continue as usual.
"We have told tour operators that, so far, we have not had any problems getting every single tourist to their hotel," he said. This was also thanks to the intervention of the hotel industry, their managers, who were driving tourists in private cars, and Malta Tourism Authority employees.
Stressing that tourism was a fragile industry, Dr de Marco, who spent time at the airport over the past days, expressed fears that all that has been built through a big effort could so easily be undone.
An estimated 7,000 tourists who arrived on Tuesday (when a total of 15,481 passenger movements were registered) all got to their hotel without long queues at the airport, despite some inconveniences at the start of the day, he said.
He confirmed that a handful of tourists yesterday got stuck in traffic, caused by the strikers, and missed their flights but alternative plans were immediately arranged with Air Malta.
Contacted yesterday, Viset general manager Chris Paris said that another 1,800 cruise passengers arrived yesterday. One thousand will be arriving today and 7,500 tomorrow.
Mr Paris said that the fact that there was no form of transport to Valletta whatsoever was reflecting badly on the island. Moreover, excursions have been cancelled because the transport was operated by the Unscheduled Bus Service, whose members were not working as they felt threatened by the strike.
Viset had not yet received any official protest from the lines operating to Malta and the situation was being explained to tourists who were generally understanding.
Two RyanAir and six Easy Jet passengers missed their flights and were instructed to go to the MTA counter to be rerouted. They were given refreshments and all MIA staff, including CEO Julian Jaeger, worked hard to minimise the inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents yesterday filed a judicial protest against the Transport Federation calling on it to stop the strike and holding it responsible for damages.
The federation representing language schools, Feltom, is also considering legal action, holding the strikers responsible for the damage they were incurring and will be suffering as a result of mass cancellations.