Government's attitude disappoints

The Federation of Associations of Travel and Tourism Agents - Malta (FATTA) said in a statement it was disappointed to note that tourism operators were conspicuous by their absence from the incentive schemes to stimulate tourism to Gozo.

The government, it said, continued to show its insensitivity to the tourism contracting processes by ignoring FATTA's request for a scheme to ease the burden of the sudden hike in Gozo ferry fares.

"The claim that fares have not been increased between 1998 and 2004 is nothing but political eyewash to sideline the problem.

"Tourism operators need considerable advance notice to build increases into their contracts. Unfortunately, the government's attitude is that it will not consider such needs and will impose increases without adequate notice," FATTA said.

The travel agents said that operators were expecting the incentive schemes to include volume-related incentives to offset the incremental cost they have been constrained to absorb under their current contractual obligations. "They are bitterly disappointed that the government has slammed the door in their face yet again," the association said.