Czech Airlines will soon resume Malta operations , Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced on Friday. The minister was announcing new schemes to help attract tourists to Malta in the summer months.
Bartolo proposed two schemes which form part of a total investment of €6.5 million with an expected return of around €50 million.
The first scheme would cost the government €3.5 million and it is aimed at the free individual travellers who visit Malta. Free individual travellers are tourists who come to Malta individually rather than through an agency.
This scheme states that travellers who book directly with hotels will benefit from a cashback, with the amount depending on the hotel they book with.
The amount given to a tourist is split as follows; tourists who book with a 5-star hotel will benefit from a cashback of €100 while a 4-star hotel will give tourists €75 back and 3-star hotels will give back €50 to tourists.
These cashbacks will be given by the Malta Tourism Authority. Apart from this, hotels who take part in this scheme will also be obliged to double the amount given by the MTA in the form of use of hotel services, which amount to the same cashback given by the MTA.
Moreover, as a further incentive, hotels in Gozo will be given a 10% increase in the budget for this scheme. Hotels would be able to apply for this scheme as from June.
The second investment scheme is valued at €3 million and it is aimed at flight operators who get tourists to Malta.
Airlines that operate to Malta will benefit from an increased revenue in marketing. This help will only be given for airlines who transport tourists to Malta and Gozo.
Bartolo closed off the conference by stating that, through these schemes, the government is showing its commitment to get the country out of the pandemic.
Positive help to aid Tourism recovery - MHRA
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomed the announcement made by the Tourism Minister about two new schemes launched by the Government to support individual travellers booking directly (known as FIT) with hotels and other related marketing initiatives, as well as incentives targeting tour operators operating to Malta.
MHRA President Tony Zahra said that, “The tourism sector is gearing up to ensure that it overcomes the most difficult 12-month period since the early 60’s. The industry feels encouraged and satisfied that beyond rhetoric Government is providing support to reignite the much-needed tourism sector”.
MHRA endorsed the decision that such support is being spread across all the hotel categories as a quality destination requires to offer a proper mix of collective accommodation products.
“MHRA understands that boutique hotels will also qualify for such incentives. MHRA expresses satisfaction that when there is dialogue between Government and the ones who are badly hit on the economic front line, then the chances for success will be much higher. MHRA reiterates that prudence and responsibility are critical in the coming months to ensure that the COVID 19 spread is further controlled and managed to ensure the reopening of the hospitality industry as soon as possible especially the restaurants, followed by the relaunch of the tourism sector on 1st June.”
The association said in the meantime it will keep working closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Malta Tourism Authority, and others relevant authorities to ensure that support keeps being directed and invested in the tourism, hospitality, and travel sectors as a key component of the Maltese economy.
“Our objective is to re-establish the Maltese islands as a safe and quality destination in the shortest possible time.” said Tony Zahra.