Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has rejected calls for exemptions from a new 50c bed-tax.

Dr Zammit Lewis told Times of Malta that the eco-contribution levy was capped at €5 per tourist, the lowest amount in Europe, and was ultimately aimed at pumping some €6 million back into the sector.

“This will not be a burden on our tourism industry which is achieving one success after another,” he said.

Dr Zammit Lewis was reacting to calls by the Chamber of Commerce for, among other things, foreign students who take up accommodation in local host families to be exempt from the new bed tax.

Addressing a press conference earlier today, Chamber president Anton Borg said that although he and his members agreed with the new eco contribution in principle, they still had reservations over its “hasty implementation”. 

Announced in the last Budget, the contribution is expected to generate some €6 million a year which will be pumped back into the sector.

Asked for his reaction, Dr Zammit Lewis said that to help with possible teething problems that may be experienced in the initial stages of this new system, the Government was making a concession for a 15 per cent refund of the contributions due between June and October.

The government, he said, had announced the introduction of the contribution last year, yet the Chamber had only requested a meeting to discuss it a few weeks ago.