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3 NEWS 22.4.2021 FROM PAGE 1 "is plan the PN launched is a good one and contains a number of good in- itiatives, although we as MHRA have some ideas that do not coincide with those," Zahra said. "I do not think that these recommen- dations put forward by the PN are cast in stone and I now look forward to dis- cussing these proposals in depth with them." e PN is proposing giving airlines €10 per seat filled in summer, and €20 for winter, based on a three-year agree- ment that would include a minimum of two weekly flights. e PN's proposals include a one-time grant of up to €25,000 for tourist oper- ators who promote Malta abroad. Any advertising targeting niche markets should be prioritised and encouraged. With COVID-19 an ongoing con- cern, the party believes Malta should set up two testing centres in Malta and one in Gozo, to cater to incoming tourists. e PN is also recommending Mal- ta examine the possibility of linking to new airports, as well as making it more attractive for tourists to reach Malta by coach, camper or car. Air Malta should remain the major player in any tourism strategy for Malta, the PN's document says. Accommodation and Catering It is also proposing that operators in the tourist industry be given the oppor- tunity to pay their taxes for 2021 and 2022 over five years up to 2027. Tax credits should also be given to property owners who renounce the rent payments in the same time frame in the case of renters working in the tourism industry. Some buildings in a number of locali- ties should be refurbished and rebrand- ed as hostels, while maintaining their historical characteristics and offering tourists the chance to 'live like a local'. e PN's document also includes a proposal for the introduction of a reg- ulation and classification system for rental farmhouses and villas, in order to establish clear standards. e PN believes property owners should be encouraged to put up more farmhouses and villas short holiday rent, as these attract higher-spending tourists and families. And more camping spaces should be made available, but it would be imper- ative that these be well-maintained and equipped with all services and ameni- ties. Infrastructure and transport e PN's working document includes plans for the setting up of a Tourism Development Board, to include all in- terested parties, and to provide direc- tion to all operators in the tourism in- dustry. e party also proposed making an app available for tourists to easily access information about available attractions such as trekking and hiking paths and recommended areas to visit. e PN believes that, by 2025, any tourist rental vehicles available in Malta should be electric. Furthermore, incentives should be drawn up covering registration tax, VAT and road licensing. e PN is proposing the suspension of vehicle license payments for 18 months in the case of coaches, open-top buses, taxis and boats. e use of electric vehicles should also be incentivised. Hospitality To attract the next generations to the hospitality industry, the PN is recom- mending that this industry start being included in the national curriculum, with instruction offered at all levels, including ITS, MCAST, the university and private schools. e party is also recommending that all operators in the tourism industry be formally licensed, after the successful completion of a 40-hour training pro- gramme. English language schools be formally licensed by the Malta Tourism Author- ity, the PN believes. Its documents in- cludes a proposal for foreign students attending such schools to receive a grant of €50 a week for up to €600. e PN's document calls for the crea- tion and use of a 'Made in Malta DOK' label to promote Maltese food and bev- erages. Urban planning e PN is recommending the devel- opment of high-quality shopping and entertainment complexes, particularly Paceville, St Paul's Bay and Bugibba. Gozo e document also proposed the in- troduction of a co-ordinated transport system between the airport in Luqa and Gozo. Hybrid vessels should also re- place the existing ferries operating be- tween Malta and Gozo Food Proposals include the organisation of an International Food Festival, invit- ing world-renowned chefs to join local chefs working with Maltese food and to use Maltese produce in their own shows. Core principles MHRA CEO Andrew Agius Muscat told BUsinessToday that the association had identified three core principles that are crucial for tourism: safety and secu- rity as COVID-109 still claims victory across Europe and beyond; connectiv- ity to crucial markets that will provide a quick corridor to Malta; and environ- mental and financial sustainability. "e PN's proposals reflect these prin- ciples in general and provide a good platform on which to build with further discussion in the best interests of our country," he said. PN proposes 7% VAT for bars and restaurants in tourism recovery plan A hospitality lobby group is clamouring for restaurants to re-open next week along with non-essential outlets. e Malta Hotels and Restau- rants Association has called on government to re-open restau- rants, including those in hotels, on Monday. Non-essential shops and ser- vices are expected to re-open on 26 April in line with gov- ernment's plan to relax COV- ID-19 restrictions in a gradual manner. No date has yet been set for the re-opening of restaurants and bars, with Health Minis- ter Chris Fearne insisting this afternoon that measures will continue being relaxed gradu- ally. In a statement on Wednes- day, the MHRA also called for all tourism sector employees to be vaccinated before 1 June, when the government plans to re-open the industry. "Restaurants have been amongst the worst econom- ic victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and after a very long tough year we are all looking ahead for the reopening of the restaurants on the 26 April and the tourism market on 1 June 2021," the MHRA said. e lobby group acknowl- edged that the re-opening of restaurants is critical to en- sure that there are no spikes of COVID-19 infections but insisted that restaurant own- ers have reached a point where they cannot wait any longer as their situation has become dire. MHRA President Tony Zahra said: "Operating a restaurant involves a lot of overheads, and these are not just employee wages. Many restaurant owners are reaching a breaking point waiting as to what is going to happen with their and their employee's livelihoods. We now need a clear plan so that we all know where we stand and therefore can prepare our operations for what is an al- ready very difficult situation." Hospitality lobby group wants restaurants to re-open next week PN leader Bernard Grech launching the party's 2+8 tourism recovery plan

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