Tourism shadow minister calls for regulation of open-top coaches

The lack of regulation of open-top coaches was a source of concern for Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo.

Parliament convened this morning to discuss the budget allocation for the Ministry of Tourism. In his opening remarks, Arrigo said he had been taken aback at how the Finance Minister's budget speech dedicated only "250 words" for tourism.

The MP noted that while Edward Scicluna said the government would be carrying an overhaul of the tourism policy, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella always said he would continue building on the previous administration's work. "It will be interesting to see who will win... whether Scicluna or Vella," Arrigo quipped.

The MP went on to voice his opinion on a number of matters concerning tourism, mainly putting forward suggestions and proposals on how the sector could be strengthened.

Arrigo also urged the minister to ensure that open-top coaches were regulated.

"Open-top coaches are important but we have to ensure they are regulated. Maybe few of you know, but open-top coaches are the only coaches who don't pay VAT," Arrigo said.

Open-top coaches were exempted from paying VAT because they formed part of the bus route.

"But the routes have changed and these coaches no longer form part of it. Now they go directly to the hotel, with representatives hassling tourists from early in the morning," he said.

Turning to Air Malta, Arrigo said it was worrying that the tourism minister had repeatedly failed to reply to questions raised in parliament.

"Not knowing where you stand is worrying. I have to ask again: will workers be laid off? Is there an investor ready for Air Malta? Rumour has it that Air China was interested," he said.

He added that there were two auditors employed by the government operating from Skyparks and the Minister should now explain what they were doing.

Taking the floor, Nationalist MP Tonio Fenech - previously responsible of Air Malta as minister for finance - said the Labour government "could not blame the previous government" if something went wrong with the national airline's restructuring process.

"I want to hand the keys over to the minister so he could start shouldering the responsibility and recognise the government had to start doing something to ensure that Air Malta's restructuring process remains on track."

Fenech said the government's repeated statements that the board responsible of the restructuring process would be held responsible, were "surprising".

"The financial statements presented by Air Malta show that the airline's restructuring process is on track," Fenech said. "The government must now stop blaming its predecessor and start shouldering responsibility."

Speaking on culture, Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech revealed that the individuals who had been responsible of making Malta's candidature to the V18 a reality, had now been informed that their contract won't be extended at the end of the year.

Only one member would not be axed, Zammit Dimech said.