Figures provided on the MIA website this past week relating to passenger figures for May show that the number of incoming passengers, at 133,324 was an all-time high.

This figure probably included the hordes of Liverpool and AC Milan supporters who went up to Athens for the Champions League final.

June’s figures should be even better due to the St George Preca canonisation.

MIA’s figures for May reveal that the month’s aircraft movements figures are also an all-time record, at 2,922, though they also show that the 12 per cent increase in aircraft movements was not translated into passenger movements, which only went up by an average six per cent.

While showing increases all the way, passenger movements to the Netherlands bucked the trend, with a fall of 21 per cent.

A total of 9,300 passengers were recorded to and from Luton with Ryanair.

MLP plan

The Labour party yesterday unveiled its tourism plan.

Its two main targets would be 1.6 million passengers a year and a tourist spend of Lm620 million, said party leader Alfred Sant.

Other Labour plans include setting up a task force for Bugibba and its surroundings as well as a tourism zone management committee to take over maintenance and general cleanliness. The proposals include more sandy beaches, a yacht marina, sea attractions, a 3,000-space car park and a new bus terminal. Three star hotels will be given incentives to demolish their properties and rebuild them.

As far as low cost airlines are concerned, Dr Sant said these are there and will remain there, without stating whether more routes will be given to them, but he also referred to tour operators and promised to ask them what incentives they would like to promote Malta.

In reply, the Tourism Ministry, which issued a Bugibba regeneration plan only days ago, said there is nothing new in Labour’s plans and no information at all on how will each initiative will be funded.

Marsascala

Meanwhile a private consultant has come up with a discussion document on the regeneration of commercial activity in Marsascala.

Reuben Buttigieg’s master plan includes such topics as tackling the seedy Marsascala environment, the parking problem, the persistent flooding and grasping opportunities for the further embellishment of the village.