Malta International Airport figures for the first three weeks of the year indicate that the positive trends in tourism are ongoing, with an increase of 22.7 per cent in passenger movements to 138,605 over the same period last year, while aircraft movements have gone up by 15.1 per cent, the Prime Minister said yesterday.
Dr Gonzi was touring two hotels undergoing expansion and upgrading works on the day the record number of tourists in the island's history - 1,243,510 last year - was officially announced by the National Statistics Office.
In a lengthy speech, Dr Gonzi detailed the tourism industry's positive results, including a rise of six per cent in tourist spend and 355,609 more bed nights over 2006, giving a blow-by-blow account of how they were achieved.
The Prime Minister, flanked by Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, Malta Tourism Authority chairman Sam Mifsud and Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Josef Formosa Gauci, insisted that "nothing happens by chance", but was the result of a clear strategy and collaboration.
Playing on the PN's latest billboard slogan, he said: "Together, everything is possible - including the breaking of records!"
But despite the success stories, of which the hotels he visited were ample proof, Dr Gonzi insisted that the country should not rest on its laurels and encouraged everyone to look ahead, outlining future plans and warning not to take anything for granted.
He said the investments of the operators, Hilton Malta and Bayview Hotel, to continue improving and embellishing their product, sent a clear message that they were never satisfied with their success and aimed higher - a message that was in line with the government's approach towards the industry.
The expansion projects of the two hotels spoke for themselves, showing that every category was moving ahead and responding to the fact that tourism was doing well, he said.
To maintain the tempo and competitiveness of the industry, Dr Gonzi said the government would continue marketing the country as a "unique" destination and the automatic choice for anyone wanting a Mediterranean experience and a taste of European history.
It would continue increasing Malta's presence on the internet, he said, adding that the industry depended on technology too.
"We need to ensure that the MTA continues to operate flexibly to be able to adapt and respond quickly to often unplanned changes," Dr Gonzi said.
The government would be investing more than ever before in the product, particularly in Malta's cultural heritage, he said, referring to the projects, worth millions of euros, which have been submitted to the EU.
Buġibba and Qawra would also benefit from investment, with projects in the pipeline including a modern diving centre and a museum of underwater natural and historical heritage, while Gozo would also be focused on, including the way it was being marketed.
The government would also continue to strengthen the professionalism and hospitality of the Maltese workers at every level, being one of the most important resources.
Dr Gonzi was speaking after a visit to construction works under way at Hilton Malta, accompanied by owner George Fenech and general manager Clement Hassid.
An additional 110 "special" suites are due to be completed by the end of March to receive their first guests on April 17, taking the total number of rooms up to 404, with the possibility of another 12 next year.
Meanwhile, the three-star Bayview Hotel in Gżira has undergone an investment of €3.5 million (Lm1.5 million), doubling its employees to 79 and increasing its facilities, particularly in view of high occupancy levels.
Its general manager Michael Stivala said staff had to be increased to answer e-mails for online bookings, despite the fact that three-star hotels depended mainly on tour operator business. A further extension to the tune of another €3.5 million (Lm1.5 million) has been applied for. The Bayview Hotel is working on the Sliema Creek Lido project with other hotels along The Strand, to embellish the promenade, build a lido and a yacht marina.