There have been a number of misconceptions about the Free Independent Traveller (FIT) Scheme.

Through the FIT scheme, the government promised to provide financial support to foreign tourists who book at a hotel forming part of the scheme, the amount being matched by the hotels themselves and varying according to the hotel's star.

The amount promised to a tourist by the Malta Tourism Authority is split as follows; tourists who book with a 5-star hotel will benefit from €100 in financial support, while those at a 4-star hotel will benefit from €75 and 3-star see tourists benefit from €50. These amounts will then be matched by the hotels themselves, thus doubling the amount. Hotels in Gozo will be given a 10% increase in the budget for this scheme.

What perhaps was not made as clear as it should have been is that the scheme is optional for hoteliers, and thus hotels can choose whether or not to participate. MHRA President Tony Zahra explained that should there be hoteliers who do not wish to participate, they do not have to.

Another issue is that some tourists thought the scheme would see people receiving cash from the hotels, when this is not the case. "The amount offered is through services. It is up to each and every individual hotel participating to come out with incentives to attract tourists to stay with them. It might be in the form of a room upgrade for example, you might be given vouchers for the hotel restaurants for instance," Zahra explained

Overall, the MHRA is very pleased with the scheme, Zahra said, adding that he believes Malta will have a good summer ahead when compared to the past pandemic months.