Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said 2,277 jobs had been created in tourism between 2005 and August last year. Of these, 1,361 are full-time jobs, the rest part-time, 600 of them representing primary employment.

Speaking at the presentation of the Star Awards for last year, the minister said that August had seen a record number of employees in the hotels and restaurants sector, where 19,186 were working; 10,272 of them full time, and 5,494 on part-time as their primary employment.

The employment increase was a result of the exceptional results achieved in tourism, with nearly 1.25 million visitors, and an increase of 120,000 in 2007.

These results would not have been possible without a trained workforce, Dr Zammit Dimech said. Hundreds of students qualified each year from the Institute of Tourism Studies and the tourism authority was also contributing through its Star Scheme, which publicly recognised efforts for a good service by employees coming in contact with visitors.

The STAR winners in the service categories for 2007 are:

•Boatmen Category – Stuart Burke, Captain Morgan;

•Bus Drivers Category – Paul Farrugia;

•Coach and Mini Bus Drivers Category – Michael Buttigieg, Zarb Coaches;

•General – Alfred Galea, Society of St. Mary, Mqabba;

•Heritage Sites, Museums & Places and Interest Category – Ronnie Said, Classic Car Museum;

•Horse-Drawn Cab Drivers Category – David Debattista;

•Hotels Category (Food and Beverage) – Rita Butigieg, Cavalieri;

•Hotels Category (Front Office and Housekeeping) – John Bamber, 115 The Strand;

•Restaurants Category – Antonio Pané, Sottovoce;

•Shop Assistants/ Owners Category – Sylvia Grech, Mgarr Tourist Services;

•Sports Instructors Category – Martin Hall, Paradise Bay Diving Centre;

•Taxis & Chauffeur Driven Vehicles Category – Michael Camilleri, Belmont Garage;

•Tourist Guides Category – Patricia Flores Martin;

•Travel Representatives Category – Fredric Pourrut, Voyage FRAM.

Six of these people were also past STAR winners. These were Paul Farrugia, Rita Buttigieg, Antonio Pané, Sylvia Grech, Martin Hall and Michael Camilleri.

As an incentive for tourists to participate, there is a prize consisting of complimentary flights (courtesy of Air Malta) and accommodation for two persons. The lucky tourist for 2007 is a fourteen-year-old boy from the UK and he, together with his parents, will be coming over during the month of June.

Through the STAR scheme the MTA also awarded good quality tourism products. Five awards were given in total and these were selected by the adjudicating panel which was made up of people from various related entities. The prize for these categories was a certificate, a wooden plaque and e800. The runners-up received a certificate and a cash prize of e150.

The STAR winners in the product categories are:

•Best Festa Stall – Iz-Zebbugi Hawn (Robert Caruana)

•Best Fixed Kiosk – Tony’s Ice-Cream, Bugibba (Anthony Catania)

•Best Tourist Shop – Limestone Heritage, Siggiewi (Manuel Baldacchino)

•Most Attractive Public Garden (Managed by a local council) – Gnien is-Serenita, Santa Lucija

•Most Attractive Square – Misrah il-Knisja, Safi

From these categories covering the best product there was also a repeat winner for the ‘Best Festa Stall’ which is owned by Robert Caruana.

The STAR Scheme 2008 has already begun and all nominations received since January this year will automatically be included in this year’s scheme. Tourists may nominate anyone working in the tourism or related industries. Nomination forms are available at various points including hotels, restaurants, the airport, taxis, coaches and many others. STAR performers of 2007 will not be eligible for the 2008 awards.