Other bordering countries implemented some changes straight away, thus not allowing more street protests to escalate. The stability of the region is important to us in Malta. We might gain some tourist bookings in the short-term, and in the wake of this situation; although my reading of it is that Tunisians will hardly consider Malta for a substitute holiday. This is based on the reasoning that our hotels are more expensive at the outset. Comparing prices, an all inclusive 5-star hotel price in Tunisia will not, or hardly, fit into an all inclusive 3-star hotel in Malta.

Again, our flight price base is higher than those flights that go, in bulk, to Tunisia. As I am informed, Turkey and Spain have popped into that market, within hours of the crisis, and took the majority of that market. Tunisians are more likely to go to Turkey.

It is the new travellers who would consider Malta as an alternative. The cancellation of bookings depends on the deposits that clients have already paid, the full payments already made, as well as the tour operators’ many commitments.

This brings to mind the fact that many European tour operators have gross commitments on hotels, cruise boats, their own offices, staff and chartered planes. The non-selling of these products will cause grave cash flow problems to the foreign operators, and a risk of bankruptcy following.

It is probably more of a risk than the ash cloud crisis of last year, as this is a longer-term problem. Over the years companies have grown though mergers and buy-ins; therefore it is a very dangerous situation, as these companies cannot be replaced. Thus what could seem a nice situation for Malta can easily turn sour for all of us in the long-term.

Besides, I came across stories that a few hotels – and thank God its a really small number – have asked for double their normal rates, just because the enquiry was from a client not going to Egypt. These short-term gains will be a bitter pill in the years to come, as are the numerous, never ending stop-sales certain hotels are doing to the market. These uncontrollable stop-sales will affect Malta in future years.

This year’s figures can make us look forward to another successful year. These figures are the merit solely of Malta, and are not a result of any crisis. Our growth is at a constant level, and the merit goes to all the players in the equation.

The success story has to be carefully assessed. A successful year, and for that matter, one year after another, can lead to a certain laissez-faire attitude, both with product, prices and these stop sales, which are a scourge.

The tour operator who has regained confidence in the Malta product, after being brutally excluded some years ago, must be kept as our bread and butter. We cannot compete with the tour operator, and only can compete as a nation. My many speeches in Parliament indicated this trend, year in year out. However these speeches were never answered, acknowledged or taken as serious. Today, with hindsight, they were not done just to fill in time allocated, but were serious points that fell on deaf ears.

The Maltese government, once again, has shown its friendly hand to the tourism industry and to the hotels association which, many times, seems to be a bitter enemy. The VAT increase question, on the cards for over 22 months, will be mitigated by a special fund that will help out in the transition period and until all contracts are effectively signed up. I am also informed that many contracts have been signed with this in mind already.

Therefore, the conclusion is that, yet again, together we can make this industry work, and work with a profitability that helps all of us, including direct and indirect employment. It is an industry that has been given a thrust by the Nationalist government.

I do wish that the moaning and groaning are left behind and replaced by an optimistic look to the future, with our feet firmly on the ground. We must build on our success, year in year out with a steady flow of clients. That’s what we should look forward to this year, hoping no volcanoes will erupt or snow storms occur to hinder bookings.

Robert Arrigo is a parliamentary assistant in the Finance Ministry