Minster for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Governments Jose Herrera has revealed that €273,000 had been allocated to tourism zones in total for the years 2019 and 2020, in terms of supplementary funds.

He was replying to a parliamentary question put forward by PN MP Chris Said.

Said asked for the minister  to clarify the amount in supplementary funds that were given to areas that are considered as being tourism hotspots or ones that experienced high levels of tourism in 2019 and the amount that the government is planning to provide for 2020.

Herrera explained that in 2019, €140,000 was provided for tourism localities based on the fact that they experience an influx of commercial and touristic activity, and with less than a 5% increase in financial allocations.

With regards to 2020, €133,000 was distributed to localities because they are considered as touristic zones and have no ulterior financial aid.

Said also asked for an indication of how these funds were allocated by locality.

The tabled figures provided by Herrera show that an equal amount of €10,000 was distributed across 14 localities in 2019. These include Birżebbuga, Floriana, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Ħal-Lija, Marsa, Nadue, Paola, Qrendi, Rabat (Malta), San Lawrenz and Ta' Xbiex.

The figures differ in 2020, with funds ranging from €3,000 to €20,000 depending on the locality.

Mmdina, Gżira, Qrendi, TA' Xbiex, Żebbuġ (Gozo) and Zurrieq all received €3,000 worth of funds while Birgu, Isla, Bormla, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa and San Lawrenz got €7,000.

Only three localities received a sum of €20,000; St. Julians, St. Paul's Bay and Sliema.