MaltaMedia.com

The Federated Association of Travel & Tourism Agents (FATTA) is urging Government to depart from tradition and commit a rolling 3-year allocation of funds to the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA).

Addressing its Annual General Meeting, the Association’s President, Iain Tonna, said the MTA should have a rolling 3-year commitment from Government, updated annually, to enable it to draw up and implement a realistic rolling 3-year business plan. Mr Tonna also urged the Opposition to give its full support to this idea.

FATTA also reaffirmed its approval of the Government’s cautious approach to the idea of establishing a low-cost airline hub at MIA. The Association said that the public and private sectors should seek to converge their aims towards achieving a balanced mix for the tourism industry.

The Association also applauded the initiatives taken by both the Government and the MTA to encourage operators to enhance the quality and value of the services they deliver. Mr Tonna singled out MTA’s Quality Assured label for Destination Management Companies and Government’s reforms in the public transport sector as ideal examples of these initiatives.

The Association voiced serious concerns that the development of the relationship between travel agents and airlines is degenerating to the extent that any benefits afforded by the IATA Sales Agency Accreditation programme are being wiped out. IATA accredited agents are being encouraged to review their position and to consider whether a collective withdrawal from the programme would be appropriate.