(Left to Right) Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, CEO, MTA, Mr Peter Portelli, Perm Sec, OPM, Mr Sam Mifsud, MTA  Chairman, the Hon Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi and Parliamentary Secretary for tourism Dr De Marco.

Prime Minister personally thanks MTA staff for their work

The MTA staff were on the 23rd July, personally thanked by the Prime Minister for their work to maintain a healthy Tourism Industry.

Dr Mario De Marco, who also thanked the staff for their hard work, co-operation and excellent teamwork, preceded the Prime Minister in addressing the staff. He stated that these elements had been more visible in the days of the strike and had passed a difficult test with flying colours. The Parliamentary Secretary said the visit was taking place during peak season with the purpose of thanking the people who help make this possible. He also thanked the staff for the enormous effort made during the days of the strike to reduce it’s effects on the tourists arriving on our Islands. Dr De Marco told The Prime Minister that an estimated 1,700 tourists were ferried from the airport to all parts of the Island by the MTA staff.

The Prime Minister made it a point to shake hands with every member of staff present and say thank you to each. In his brief address, the Prime Minister said that he was aware that the staff at the MTA had gone way and above the call of duty during the transport strike, and were on the font line in trying to ensure that good service and order were kept. He said, that the staff could have quite easily said it was not our remit, but it had not been the case at all. On the contrary, the MTA was hands on in assisting tourists.

The Prime Minister stated that the MTA is a very important entity, as its remit is one of the most important economic factors in Malta. The Hon Dr Gonzi, said he would like to extend his gratitude not only for the effort last week, but for the positive turn around all the MTA’s hard work has made possible. He said that a few years ago tourism in Malta was going through a rough patch, but since than hard work and co-operation have seen Malta achieve a record year in tourism in 2007, and the first six months of 2008 have been very positive. He concluded by saying that the MTA needs to continue this effort to be able to face the challenges which the months ahead will offer, however, this can be done in the knowledge that the MTA is well prepared.

Prior to the visit to the MTA, The Prime Minister also visited the Malta International Airport, to show appreciation for the vote of confidence shown in Malta and the tourism product, through the investment to improve and enlarge Malta’s airport. He also thanked the MIA for its immense support offered during the transport strike, were they pulled out all the stops to minimise the inconvenience to travellers to and from Malta.