Budget gives ‘right direction’ for tourism – Philip Fenech
The Chamber of SMEs’ (GRTU) vice president Philip Fenech dubbed Budget 2010 “a step in the right direction” for tourism, but added that not enough finances had been earmarked for the sector to lift itself out of the current situation.
Fenech said the increase of €5 million in marketing the Maltese tourism product and increasing routes for low-cost airlines was essential to the industry, but had hoped that more funds could have been directed at intensifying the effort.
“Given the prevailing economic situation, I don’t know why government was hesitant to invest more, when the return to our economy from tourism will definitely pay dividends,” Fenech said.
Fenech added that the Budget had recognised the importance of tourism and had addressed vital aspects for its growth and sustainability.
“There is more investment to support various airlines for new routes, it enhances advertising and marketing aggressively in our principal markets, and it is also considering new markets such as the Middle East. Elsewhere, the Budget will extend the scheme to assist hotels in increasing their advertising by financing half the additional expenditure. There is more infrastructural investment earmarked for transport terminals, park and rides, and embellishment projects.”
Fenech added that every euro that gets poured into tourism was “good money… it will always give a return, some times six times over. Times are tough in tourism, and we face heavy competition from destinations who see the potential of advertising, as can be seen in the cut-price holiday adverts in British newspapers.”
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