Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1357219
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 31 MARCH 2021 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 One aspect of the plan in- volves attracting free inde- pendent travellers (FITs). These are travellers who plan their own trips and opt to travel alone or in small groups, as opposed to mass tourism strategies that rely on large groups and travel packages. "We will first be looking to attract FITs from the Euro- pean market [...] Our aim is to attract as many tourists as possible to contribute to re- covery," Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo explained. He acknowledged that the recovery plan will not de- pend on Malta alone but also on the situation in oth- er countries. "But we're re- sponsible for what happens here, and we need to be cau- tious," he said. Bartolo pointed out that the schemes will not on- ly target FITs, with further schemes to be announced over the next few weeks. Regarding use the Digital Green Certificate, the min- ister reassured that it won't lead to discrimination be- tween those who have re- ceived the vaccine and those who fall further behind in the vaccination queue. "The Green Certificate won't be the only way some- one can travel - you can use negative PCR tests tak- en hours before travelling. These appear to be the two favourite options at EU lev- el and for Malta, with dis- cussions with the Superin- tendent of Public Health is confirming this," he said. In terms of marketing, Bartolo said that tourism authorities will be making use of traditional and dig- ital media to attract tour- ists. The ministry will also seek to maximise the return of the Manchester United brand partnership. When asked about the UK and any decisions to remove it from Malta's red travel list, Bartolo explained that the choice to remove or add the UK to any lists depends not only on the Maltese au- thorities but also on inter- national bodies. "The success of this plan doesn't only depend on gov- ernment, the tourism min- istry, or tourism authorities - it depends on each and every one of us. It's the suc- cess of Malta and Gozo." Malta targets 1 June for tourism recovery with plan to attract 'free, independent travellers' Tourism minister Clayton Bartolo KARL AZZOPARDI THE Nationalist MP Karol Aq- uilina will be charged over a June 2019 driving incident where he refused to obey police instruc- tions when driving. The incident was first brought to light by Labour TV host Karl Stagno Navarra on his weekly evening show 'Pjazza'. Stagno Navarra had obtained footage from a vehicle's dashcam fol- lowing a European ministeri- al delegation driving from the airport into Valletta for a gov- ernmental meeting. He had showed footage which he says shows Karol Aquilina in his car, apparently blocking the route of the ministerial vehicle despite the orders from two police officers on motorbike, accompanying the vehicle. Karl Stagno Navarra claimed Aqui- lina refused to give way to the oncoming vehicle. He had also filed a standards complaint. Aquilina made the announce- ment on his personal Facebook profile, stating he has notified the Nationalist leader Bernard Grech of his immediate resig- nation as Justice and Elector- al Reform spokesperson and Secretary of the Parliamentary Group. "I have no doubt that there will be those who will try to gain a political advantage from the case, by deflecting the people's attention away from the scandals by the La- bour government," he said. Aquilina maintained his in- nocence, stating he will be de- fending himself in Court. He also said that when gov- ernment minister Owen Bon- nici had been charged with similar accusations surround- ing a driving incident, he had retained his post as Justice Minister. "We at the Nationalist Par- ty believe and practice higher ethical standards than the La- bour Party," Aquilina said. The MP said that he hopes his resignation will serve as an example on how politicians should act ethically. PN reaction In a statement, the National- ist Party said that Opposition leader Bernard Grech had ac- cepted Aquilina's resignation. The party said Aquilina was now free to defend himself in court without the risk of it be- ing exploited for political gain. Grech said that this was in line with the party's beliefs and practices. The party said this was con- trary to the prime minister's behaviour regarding Education Minister Justyne Caruana and the €5,000 per month consul- tancy contract she gave purely based on friendship, not skill or qualifications. The PN pointed out that the case could not "simply" be closed because the contract had been terminated. "Our country needs more mature and honest politicians," the party said. Grech has appointed MP Joe Ellis as Shadow Minister for Justice and Electoral Reforms. He has also appointed MP Robert Cutajar as secretary of the Nationalist Party's parlia- mentary group. Nationalist MP Karol Aquilina to be charged over driving incident Karol Aquilina