The Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (Fatta) said yesterday that the public transport sector involved in the ongoing strike ought to understand and respect the fundamental principles of fair competition in a market free of monopolies, abuses and cartels.

Fatta made the statement in a judicial protest it lodged in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Gozo Bus Owners Association, the Minibuses Co-Operative, the Motor Hearses Association, the Public Transport Association and White Taxis Amalgamated.

The association told the court that it represented the commercial interests of travel agents and travel operators in Malta. As a result of the public transport strike, a number of tourist excursions had to be cancelled. Thirty-two coach tours for 900 tourists disembarking from a cruise liner for a full day excursion had to be cancelled and a number of routine day excursions involving 450 tourists were also called off.

The strike, Fatta argued, was useless and was leading to a senseless destruction of the tourist industry in general and financial losses to its members.

In conclusion, Fatta called upon the associations that called the strike to reconsider their decision on strike action. It held the Gozo Bus Owners Association, the Minibuses Co-Operative, the Motor Hearses Association, the Public Transport Association and White Taxis Amalgamated liable in damages.

Lawyer Michael Tanti Dougall acted for Fatta.