In discussions about the future of Maltese tourism, we frequently hear about the need to stress quality rather than quantity. Debate about that has always been on the agenda, at least since the 1980's. It's an important topic which it always made sense to keep in mind because of the small size of the Maltese archipelago, but not only.
Over the years we didn't pay much serious attention to the recommendations that were made. Indeed, quantity remained at the forefront of policy decisions, rather than quality.
Still another factor also needs to be taken into account. What proportion of the economic contribution that tourism makes to the country is really "staying" here or is directly providing some opening or benefits to the "Maltese" people? To a large extent, arriving tourists are being brought here by foreign airlines. A substantial percentage of our hotels depend on foreign chains or owners. Ditto for restaurants and other eateries. A substantial percentage of workers in tourist establishments of all sorts happen to be foreigners. How much of the profits and earnings derived from the tourist industry is ending up abroad?
One needs more clarity about this matter.
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ABORTION
It's evident that the dance of the seven veils which the political parties continue to perform on the issue of abortion and whether it should be condoned, will continue for a while. This will happen even though the matter should have been already settled on the lines of allowing abortion under strict and clear conditions.
Till this happens, the situation certainly shouldn't be allowed to persist by which women who have had an abortion can be taken to court and condemned to prison sentences, whether suspended or not. Even less that doctors are obligated to report women to the police, when they seek medical care after an the abortion gives rise to complications. Whatever legal solution is adopted to eliminate this state of affairs, let it be done! Government and Opposition should not continue with this puerile, dangerous game of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds.
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NOBODY WILL WIN
Given the distorted information that continues to reach us from the Iran war, the difficulty is to predict how it will end (though one hopefully assumes there will be some end, not far down the line). Whatever happens, one possible outcome clearly stands out - no side is really going to win and there will be many who will have lost a lot - among the latter especially, Iranian and Palestinian people.
Yet, despite all external appearances, even those who right from the start and to the end appeared to be militarily on top, probably will not end up as victors in the way they expected or hoped they would be. With "victory", the US will still appear as isolated and less trusted as never before. For a coutry that aims to become "great" again, that is hardly a desirable development. And Israel will also have the confirmation that despite being the dominant military power in the Middle East, it will still have remained far short of having really strengthened its security through regional war or as well, by gaining greater backing for its policies from the international community.