ITS to move to Smart City, tax on tourists from April 1

Updated - Adds plans to move ITS -

As of April 1 an environmental contribution of 50c per tourist per day will be imposed, up to a maximum of €5 per tourist, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced in the Budget speech today. Visitors aged under 18, including language students, will be exempt.

Revenue of €6m from this scheme will be supplemented by the National Development Fund (of the IIP) and the money will be used by a foundation which will be set up with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association for the maintenance of tourist areas.

ENERGY BENEFIT FOR HOTELS

Hotels which reduce electricity consumption will get financial incentives according to their emission savings

NEW ITS CAMPUS AT SMART CITY

Prof Scicluna also announced that a new campus for the Institute of Tourism Studies will be built at Smart City. The project will cost €56 million.

The current premises in St George’s Bay will that be offered to the private sector once the project is completed.

ITS students are also to be granted a grant of €233 from the next scholastic year.