Summer time is the time when most of us try to have some rest and maybe even go abroad with our loved ones. Recently the National Statistics Office issued a release where it was stated that the number of people who went abroad in June this year compared to June of last year dropped by almost a quarter. The office went on to say that the decrease maybe partly attributed to the spike in numbers in 2007 when thousands travelled to Rome for the canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca. One must say that this may be one reason for this decrease even though maybe a good number of people last year anticipated their holiday by going to Rome for this lifetime experience.

But I think that there may be other reasons for this drop. The costs to travel, being an island state, are considerable. One thing that makes it almost impossible to go abroad are the taxes and fuel charges that we Maltese have to pay. I admit that fuel costs are one of the main expenses that every airline has to introduce to make ends meet; however in addition to this we have other taxes which the government is imposing on one and all.

Let us take a family of four. This family more or less has to pay about e520 alone in taxes and charges. Not to mention the fare and accommodation costs. Of course, when one considers that the purchasing power of our families went down it can be said that nowadays it has become almost a challenge in itself to go abroad and enjoy a well-deserved holiday.

The fact that being an island imposes the use of aircraft as the main means of going abroad, should be brought to the attention of the European Commission. One of the basic principles of the EU is freedom of movement. The EU rightly so preaches that people from member states should be aware and acquainted with other member states in respect to culture, history and the way of living of that particular nation. This of course comes at a price, especially for us. European integration is more difficult to be achieved if people from different states do not meet.

So I am not at all surprised with this decrease of people going abroad since I am also experiencing the same problems. To cope with the cost of living and with less purchasing power is making it an achievement to travel with your family for a holiday.

The Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are now over. This magnificent event involves a lot of preparation and hard work from the host country and also by all those participating. These games for sure will be remembered for many years to come and it will be very difficult for London in 2012 to keep up the standard shown by the Chinese to organise the Beijing Olympic Games.

I must say a big well done for the Maltese that took part in these games. Being there is already an achievement. Participating with very large countries and known athletes is of benefit to our athletes and of course an impressive experience. But one must also say that there were a number of smaller countries that had their bit of success.

Success comes through hard work but not only. It also comes with the right investment in sports and by identifying where we can be successful.

We Maltese still have a long way to go to have a sporting culture and I always say that we have to instill this culture in our youngsters at school. We are not doing enough, let all alone what it takes to achieve this and may be one day an Olympic medal.

Hugs and kisses in Libya

Recently our President of the Republic led a high level delegation to Libya. The Maltese media, rightly so, focused on this encounter between the two countries and something concrete and important was expected to come out of this encounter.

To date we heard nothing on the way forward between the two neighbouring countries in respect to oil exploration and illegal migration. Apart from the hugs and kisses of our President to the Libyan Leader, publicly nothing concrete was announced.

Of course it was nice to see a former Nationalist leader and Prime Minister hugging the Libyan Leader after all that was said in the 1970s and 1980s in respect of the Libyans and their leader, but the Maltese are still eager to see results that can benefit our country. Maybe some one can brief us in respect to this visit please?

Carmelo Abela is Deputy Speaker and Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

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