As Frosch Touristik GmbH (FTI) CEO Dietmar Gunz opines that Malta lacked all-inclusive resorts which would complement the tourist mix offered by the islands, Tourism Parliamentary secretary Mario De Marco confirmed that a number of hotels located in the north of Malta were pondering the suggestion.
Speaking at a press conference announcing that 1,000 young German travel agents were brought to Malta on a familiarisation trip, Mr Gunz illustrated the interaction between various factors that are linked to tourism. He explained the importance of aviation as other factors. He also expounded on the need for all-inclusive packages, which provided the predictability and budget security needed for people who were strapped for cash.
Mr Gunz said Malta enjoyed both a brilliant location and a good international reputation. Its people are known to be nice and educated while the place is both clean and safe, he said. Mr Gunz also praised Air Malta for being one of a handful of legacy carriers to have a grasp of the different configurations of business models in tourism.
Dr de Marco thanked the national carrier for filling the void in German routes which was experienced during winter with the dropping of three German routes by Ryanair and German Wings.
The parliamentary secretary described how the Malta Tourism Authority stepped up its marketing campaigns in view of the adverse affects of the global economic downturn on tourism. Thus, it embarked on a TV campaign.
MTA chairman Sam Mifsud said Mr Gunz and the authority teamed up in September with a view to find solutions to impending problems. He said Mr Gunz came up with a marketing plan that involved bringing over 1,000 agents to spend time in Malta and learn more about the island, so that they could suggest it as a holiday destination for their clients.
Dr De Marco said the strategy was short, medium and long-termed. He explained how 45 per cent of incoming tourists did so through a travel agent and how German tourist arrivals have dwindled since 1999, yet picked up in recent years.