MHRA welcomes slashed landing fees

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has welcomed an initiative taken by Malta International Airport (MIA) to refund all scheduled airlines’ landing fees throughout the coming winter months, in an effort to stimulate traffic between November 2011 and March 2012.

“This is certainly a step in the right direction which should encourage all relevant parties to give this initiative some thought and see how they can also contribute further to make Malta more competitive, especially now that the market has become extremely price sensitive,” the MHRA said.

The MHRA said the winter period is a very tough period for the tourism industry and a positive difference can be made by a collective effort to stimulate business.

Such an effort would lead to a positive economic multiplier effect which benefits all, MHRA president George Micallef said. “We are passing though very sensitive and dynamic economic times, and the MIA incentive communicates to all that Malta means business. The MHRA remains disposed to cooperate and support such initiatives.”

Hotels, airlines and other service providers are known to reduce prices throughout winter months in an effort to generate more business allowing them to remain open while losing any form of profit.

“This move does not only give credit to MIA as an invaluable stakeholder of the tourism industry in Malta, but it should catalyse other stakeholders to consider similar initiatives which can possibly generate further growth in tourism during the winter months,” Micallef said.

Malta International Airport CEO Austin Calleja yesterday said that the MIA understood its role in Malta’s tourism industry. “This initiative will mean that the company will forfeit its revenue from the landing fees within this period, but it considers this as an investment aimed specifically at addressing the ever-present issue of seasonality,” Calleja said.

The MHRA said it had encouraged government regularly to apply discounted rates on state charges, such as utility rates, or introduce incentives that could ultimately assist hotels to become more competitive and remain open throughout winter.

“We encourage the government to find ways of supporting hotels throughout the winter months. Malta is, traditionally, an all-year-round destination and it is crucially important that it remains so. Such incentives would have widespread benefits and would enhance employment levels,” the MHRA stressed.