The chamber for small and medium enterprises has held a series of meetings with operators in tourist areas so as to compile an action plan intended to enable the authorities to recognise the sector’s real needs.

In a statement, the GRTU said that establishment owners in Bugibba, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay, among others, have been told to obey any directives issued by the GRTU, which could involve protests and shutdowns in protest against the contribution which they must pay to the Malta Tourism Authority.

They also agreed to identify the problems faced by specific areas and to set up an action plan with the MTA and the local council so as to solve them. Those involved also agreed that it was imperative that the government recognises the fact that not enough tourists are coming to Malta and that the same government was not doing enough to put things right.

Establishment owners in Bugibba, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay also claim that they were the worst affected by the drop in tourists. As a result, they agreed to embark on various initiatives in an effort to attract more tourists, and Maltese people, to the area.

This is being kicked off by the organisation of Carnival activities on 16 February by the local council, establishment owners themselves and the MTA.

The GRTU is set to meet the Tourism Minister in the coming days to present him with their findings.