The Leisure & Tourism Economic Group of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise expressed on Friday its deep concern with the latest alarming tourism figures issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The Group urged for immediate action to be taken and added that the statistics clearly depict the worrying fact that figures of tourists visiting Malta during the first six months of 2006 hit a 10 year low.
The Group’s Chairman, Mr Vincent Tabone added that it is understood that this downward trend has continued also in the first week of this month. “This is alarming since if we cannot manage to increase or keep to the same levels as in previous years during the peak month of August, then the situation is serious,” said Mr Tabone.
Mr Tabone said that the Group appeals to the Tourism Minister and the Malta Tourism Authority to call an urgent meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the present situation and try and find an immediate temporary solution to stop this situation.
He insisted that we need to plan seriously the measures which need to be taken in the long run, including the re-opening of the MTA offices in various European cities and in North America.
“We have heard time and time again that the situation is under control, but tourism operators are concerned that this seems to be getting worse. We need immediate action!” concluded Mr Tabone.
See also:
Inbound tourism decreases
by MaltaMedia News - Jul 31, 2006
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