Welcoming the new Minister for Tourism Hon. Clayton Bartolo at The Malta Chamber on Wednesday, Perit David Xuereb said that the importance of Malta’s largest economic sector was never more evident than in the past months. He said that the significant world-wide limitations on travel, imposed throughout 2020 meant that tourism was virtually non-existent for most of the year.
“This had very serious repercussions on a myriad of other feeder sectors which depend on touristic spend each year” said Perit Xuereb, as he spoke about the importance of inbound airline routes which were crucial for Malta’s economy.
Perit Xuereb said that more than ever, the country needed a “national holistic strategy for a sustainable tourism industry that promotes the values of our country driven by a qualitative experience for our visitors and a responsible use of our resources while lending itself to an improved quality of life for our nation”.
In his comments, Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo earmarked that in the past months, the Chamber of Commerce has been a sterling stakeholder to the Government. “I believe in a stakeholder approach that is across the board. The Chamber will continue to play an important role in the Government’s post-pandemic strategy,” continued Minister Clayton Bartolo.
Perit David Xuereb was accompanied by Tourism Business Section Chair Mr Ian Fitzpatrick, Deputy Chair Mr Alan Arrigo and Policy Executive Ms Julia Aquilina. Minister Bartolo was accompanied by the Ministry’s Head of Secretariat, Mr John Grima, Private Secretary for the Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Amanda Muscat, Advisor to the Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Kearon Bruno, and MTA CEO Johann Buttigieg.
