There is a definite element of uncertainty when it comes to eating out at restaurants, which is also impacted by the media, CEO of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association Andrew Agius Muscat told The Malta Independent.

“Due to the new protocols put in place by the health authorities, as well as the media speaking about the issue of the relatively new Omicron variant, there is a definite negative impact on tourism, which consequently affects hotels and restaurants,” Agius Muscat told this newsroom on Friday.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bookings by tourists have undoubtedly decreased due to the protocols being imposed in other countries, and so tourism has certainly been impacted negatively in this regard, Agius Muscat said.

However, he added that the demand from the local market has remained relatively consistent despite the rise in cases and uncertainty. There is obviously a higher sense of caution because of the media, which affects the individual’s decision making, he said.

The uncertainty element is subjective, Agius Muscat said, adding that there are two sides of the coin. One may decide to think twice about booking a lunch or dinner at a restaurant, concluding that there will always be another chance, he said. On the other hand, there will be people who choose to say that life must go on despite the current circumstances, he explained.

Questioned about significant changes in cancellations and booking numbers between 2020 and 2021, Agius Muscat replied that there is statistical data regarding this, however, it is clearly incomparable to other years, pre-Covid-19.

Hotels and restaurants are impacted depending on how tourist-oriented they are, being negatively impacted if they are geared mostly towards tourists, he said.

Last week, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced a number of new restrictions, addressing the spike in Covid-19 cases as well as the arrival of the Omicron variant in Malta. Fearne announced that as from 17 January, a valid vaccine certificate will be required to enter a number of establishments, which must include the booster vaccine should three months have passed after receiving the first two doses.