A GRTU survey among exhibitors at the trade fair has found that 48 percent had a worse performance than last year, GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said today.

The survey questions were sent to all 175 exhibitors, of whom 97 replied.

Mr Farrugia said 16 percent of exhibitors said they were better off and 36 percent saw no change.

Mr Farrugia told a press conference that those who saw their performance drop gave several reasons for the decline. Among others, they said that many people were preferring to buy directly from the shops rather than the trade fair, others found the new trade fair venue at Ta’Qali as not being attractive enough, while others said competition among retailers was tougher, and people had less disposable income. Some also complained of negative advertising by businesses which ran adverts about their promotions while saying they would not be at the trade fair.

The number of exhibitors this year had dropped from 250 last year.

Paul Abela, acting chairman of the MFCC, which hosted the trade fair, said the event had drawn 70,000 visitors, compared to about 100,000 when the fair was held at Naxxar.

He said the fair at Ta’Qali was based on new concepts which were still taking hold, but he was confident that next year’s fair would be bigger and better, with more exhibitors and more visitors.