Total cruise passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2016 amounted to 200,480, a decrease of 2.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Cruise Passengers: Q2/2016 During the second quarter there were 108 cruise liner calls, at par with last year. At 91.2 per cent, transit passengers accounted for the vast majority of total traffic, reaching 182,754....

The Federated Association of Travel & Tourism Agents (FATTA) notes with interest the Minister of Tourism’s statement denying media reports on the direction being taken in Air Malta’s negotiations with Alitalia. FATTA maintains its full agreement that strategic alliances with other airlines are essential to ensure the viability of Air Malta.   However, the prime objective...

Total outbound tourists for the second quarter in 2016 were estimated at 104,331, an increase of 9.3 per cent over the corresponding quarter last year. April-June 2016 During the second quarter of 2016, the number of outbound tourist trips towards EU countries stood at 93,863, an increase of 9.0 per cent over the same quarter...

The association has received an informative note, our Greek counterpart, with reference to the Greek legislation regarding the sale of travel services by tour operators and travel agencies established outside the European Union. This letter has been drafted in order to clarify the existing framework, following numerous violations of the rules by non-EU tour operators and...

The controversial tourist eco-tax will come into effect on 20 June, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said today. The eco-contribution, also known as the bed-tax, will be of 50 cents a day capped at €5 per stay. Dr Zammit Lewis made the announcement this afternoon shortly after a court rejected a request by a number...

A number of tourism operators today filed a request for a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the government related to the new Eco-Contribution Tax which obliges operators to pay €0.50 per night per tourist over 18, with a maximum of €5. The application was filed today by the Federation Association of Travel and Tourism Agents...

Incoming Tourism Agents and Destination Management Companies are disappointed by Government’s lack of consultation with all stakeholders on the introduction of the Eco Tax, the agents said in a statement. The Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA) complained that the total lack of information on the tax until the eleventh hour is inconsiderate...