With its economy hit by Covid, Malta will pay those who visit the island

LA VALETA.- In order to reactivate its tourism industry, Malta plans to offer foreign visitors a gift of up to $ 238 per tourist if they stay at least three days on the Mediterranean island this summer.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced the plan on Friday, saying that since most Covid restrictions are expected to be lifted by June 1, tourists booking summer vacations directly through local hotels will all receive information relating to the procedure.

Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council shows that the tourism industry directly and indirectly represents over 27% of the Maltese economy, but the sector has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country attracted more than 2.7 million foreign visitors in 2019, but the numbers have dropped by more than 80% since the virus was detected in March 2020.

Bartolo said that Tourists booking accommodation in a five-star hotel will receive 100 euros from the Malta Tourism Authority, which will be compensated by the hotel for a total of 200 euros.

Likewise, those who opt for a four-star hotel will receive a total of 150 euros and those who book a three star hotel will receive 100 euros.

The subsidy increases by 10% when bookings are made with hotels on the small Maltese island of Gozo, three kilometers north of the mainland.

“The plan aims to put Maltese hotels in a competitive position as international tourism picks up,” Bartolo said.

It should benefit around 35,000 visitors.

With a population of over half a million, Malta has the highest vaccination rate against the virus in the European Union, having administered at least one dose in 42% of adults.

It has seen a sharp drop in new Covid-19 cases, with the positivity rate (the percentage of tests showing a positive result) at 2.6%, and the government has urged the EU to introduce vaccine passports to facilitate movement.

Bartolo said he also had conversations for encourage travel between Malta and Great Britain, whose inhabitants represent a third of tourists in the former British colony.

Reuters Agency

Reuters