The unilateral imposition of a 14 per cent increase in the regular fare for crossing to Gozo is, it said, the latest in a series of government-induced blows to tourism operators and it is disappointed to note that yet again the authorities are showing their lack of commercial understanding of the tourism process.

Tourism operators have long been trying to get the message across to the various authorities that the nature of the tourism industry requires that contracting is completed in advance of the actual provision of services, which can be up to 18 months before.

Operators have made repeated requests to the authorities that any changes in tariffs or taxes that may have a direct effect on tourism pricing should be announced 12 to 18 months prior to coming into effect. This would enable operators to adjust their contract rates accordingly.

These requests have fallen on deaf ears and the authorities continue to ride roughshod over the very same industry to which they pay so much lip service.

To add insult to injury, when Fatta contacted a senior official at Gozo Channel as recently as this week, he denied any knowledge of an increase. It seems that at the same time as this denial, the increase was being announced to the press.

The Gozo Channel announcement follows the increases of three per cent in VAT on tourism services and an increase of 75 per cent in entrance fees to government-owned museums. These increases were implemented without enough lead-time for tourism operators to include them in their contracted rates, resulting in operators having to absorb the costs themselves.

The chamber’s Tourism Trade Section and Fatta have called on the authorities to review the position rationally and with commercial sensitivity, with a view to enabling operators to honour their contractual obligations without having to absorb the additional burden of this sudden increase in costs.