Accessibility is an important factor for an island country like Malta, and it should therefore be ensured that links with other nations increase, Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil said today.

Addressing the council of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants association, Dr Busuttil said the PN will continue to back the government in its restructuring plan for Air Malta, but at the same time the number of routes should not be decreased.

He said that he hoped that the plan which started under the previous administration comes to a conclusion in a successful manner, even considering that today Air Malta’s fuel bill is much less than what it used to be a few years back. He urged the government to consult with the Opposition on the important decisions that need to be taken.

For its part, the MHRA suggested that the Institute of Tourism Studies should widen its scope to become an institute that attracts students from all over the Mediterranean.