The government spent €1,395,249 on last year’s Isle of MTV concert in Floriana, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis told Parliament this evening. The popular event has been held every year since 2007.

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Claudio Grech, Dr Zammit Lewis said the concert cost €821,631 in 2007, €1,051,792 in 2008, €1,280,203 in 2009, €1,164,191 in 2010, €1,380,118 in 2011, €1,609,152 in 2012 and €1,559,203 in 2013.

The Tourism Minister said if the government had not renegotiated the contract signed by the previous administration in 2012, the cost of the concert would have kept rising year after year. “With this revision of contract we have saved some €200,000 over three years.” The renegotiated sum includes a social media promotional campaign, he said.

Replying to another PQ, Dr Zammit Lewis said no studies on the benefits of the concert have ever been carried out but, following last year’s edition he gave instructions for studies to be carried out. This will lead to an improved marketing strategy.

Asked on the inconvenience caused to Floriana residents, Dr Zammit Lewis said the MTA always held meetings with the local council and made sure to hear people’s complaints and to act on them. The Tourism Ministry, along with the Transport Ministry, has always made sure to clean up the area after the concert. Security is also beefed up on the night. The ministry is also in discussions with the council on the possibility of organizing activities to compensate Floriana residents for the inconvenience caused.