Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1368703
8 OPINION 6.5.2021 A new drive by the Malta Tour- ism Authority has taken to ac- tive promotion of the island as a place for serene enjoyment of clean air, safety and improved ecological attributes. Last year, this was the dream of a tour- ism minister as she waxed poetically about the new mechanisms. Hypotheti- cally, this may result to be the brainchild of a politician who in a spirit of revival lifts up the fortunes of the decimated hotel in- dustry. Another quirk is the cataloguing all the grotesque building structures (see pic- ture) licensed by PA in a lavish colour brochure distributed to airport visitors to be reminded that Pisa in Italy is not the only country with buildings that had a faulty design like the famous leaning tow- er. Surreptitiously, election fever is slowly building up and you can sense it in the air. Election candidates, have used the East- er break to send greetings for the occa- sion while reminding the party faithful of their presence in the roll call for a general election (still to be announced). is is a reminder that the last day for the prime minister to fire the starting gun is July 2022. Be that as it may, the electorate are weary of political hustings and would rather they be spared the rivalry that gen- eral elections generate. ey want some breathing space following two years of lockdowns, curfews and wearing funny looking masks. Most already picture themselves as they wake up this time next year to enjoy the brisk springtime air when flowers blos- som and Ta Qali park is brimming with people giving space to a coterie of chil- dren (no masks needed) who picnic and fly kites. All the way, this dream makes way for the rhetoric from party leaders who promise us they shall kickstart the green economy which translates into quality jobs and a healthier environment for all to enjoy. Notte Bianca will never be so successful, when folks from all corners of the island congregate at the walled city of Vallet- ta singing songs of liberation from the ghastly pandemic (which is now in its dy- ing phases on the development of effec- tive vaccines). Gone are the weekly med- ical bulletins sadly informing us of Covid cases and the number of mortalities. e vulnerable and pregnant mothers can once again go out on countryside trips to Wardija, Delimara or roam the Gozo countryside to enjoy each other in a healthy and carefree atmosphere. Hotels for the next Christmas season are slowly picking up numbers and rack rates for accommodation have become more com- petitive should vat on hospitality and res- taurants be reduced. We need a bold reform but the body is weak while the spirit is willing. It may sound Utopian, but potentially the gov- ernment needs to set up an SPV in col- laboration with hotel owners and banks which contribute to a government spon- sored fund to embellish the island in a five-year plan to seriously upgrade the touristic product. No more rave youth parties, vodka and music Ibiza revelries that cheapen our image albeit enrich the pockets of a few hackneyed promoters. e penny dropped and a mantra of quality first needs to permeate the Mal- ta Tourist Authority board. Forget the threadbare policy of attracting cheap sea, sand and beer hordes that pleased One TV audiences. is glorified the numbers in the past. We must respect and con- serve our ecology by evoking sustainable tourism. ere is a collective guilt feeling that we have sinned against Mother Nature and allowed corruption to be dressed as vir- tuous while rot had serendipitously taken root and tarred our collective conscience. e plebs are immune from an overdose of daily exposure in the media of mon- ey laundering scandals and tax evasion as many ask if enough has been done by Caesar to collect dues and urge omas (tax collector) to do his duty. Laissez faire has penetrated the bureau- cracy and corruption was camouflaged as virtuous - remember to read "e Fable of the Bees" by Mandeville (1714). Such abuses can be costly particular now that market environment is unstable and changing fast. e recent publication of an NAO audit of a €272 million kitchen project at St Vincent De Paul (SVP) hos- pital has been tarred as a corrupt tender in 2017 not approved by Cabinet, yet Cas- tille is showering holy water saying the el- derly benefitted from the scandal. e NAO report it states inter alia that "gravest among concerns identified is that the basis cited as justification authorising the negotiated procedure was in breach of legislative provisions, thereby possibly leading to the invalidity of the procure- ment undertaken". Authorisation was sought by the SVP, endorsed by the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (MFSS) and granted by the Department of Contracts (DoC) on the basis that competition was absent for technical reasons and for reasons of extreme urgency. e NAO contends that there existed no technical reasons that precluded competition since the man- agement of these blocks could have been undertaken by other operators. Notwithstanding reference to urgency, this was not justified as the blocks were to be under construction for at least 18 months, during which the SVP could procure these services through an open procedure. When the media questioned Social Soli- darity Minister Michael Falzon, he replied that he was "absolutely convinced" that necessary internal scrutiny 'would hap- pen' as a consequence of an Audit-Gen- eral report. He could not say, however, whether the deal would be stopped. He meekly justified the scandal by saying that the elderly needed extra beds omitting to mention that the bed rates charged to government by the consortium increased by 50%. No heads will roll but there will be slaps on the wrist since a general election is looming ominously ahead. e electorate is fraught with mental and social restric- tions and needs to be fed ample doses of contrite feelings and a sense of retribution towards past sins. A streak of hope lies in the acknowl- edgement of a global economy which will occur once herd immunization is reached. Financial help is available from the Commission in its bold allocation of a €750 billion recovery fund. Malta will eventually get its share and needs to plan wisely how best to utilize such funds. Leaving aside electioneering rhetoric, we need to inculcate a new feel- ing that probity and good governance are the essential hallmarks that will guarantee a brighter future. As can be expected, due to the financ- ing of furlough schemes, burden of sleaze, cost of vaccines and undoubtedly a slow- down of business due to election fever, the country needs nerves of steel to create a long desired reprieve associated with a serene and peaceful living. Election blues, elderly homes and mechanisms George Mangion George Mangion is a senior partner of an audit and consultancy firm, and has over 25 years experience in accounting, taxation, financial and consultancy services. His efforts have seen PKF being instrumental in establishing many companies in Malta and ensured PKF become one of the foremost professional financial service providers on the Island