Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547510
PRIME Minister Robert Abela had planned to issue the super bo- nus in two instalments of €500. This plan of action meant that the increased eco-contribution for tourist stays would stand at €5 or €6. So much so that Finance Min- ister Clyde Caruana had informed the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) that the ecotax would be raised to that amount three days before budget day. But a last-minute change of heart by the prime minister led Caruana to raise the ecotax to €10 to fund the Labour Party's super bonus pledge in full. Sources close to the newspaper said the initial plan was for gov- ernment to pay €500, with the remaining amount distributed at a later date. However, Prime Minister Rob- ert Abela insisted the super bonus should be paid in full, prompting a further increase in the eco-contri- bution in the 2027 Budget. To accommodation sector stake- holders' surprise on the day of the budget, the eco-tax was raised further, prompting criticism from the hotel lobby and other organ- isations. Sources who spoke with Malta- Today said the tax was further in- creased to cover the government's super bonus costs. The higher tourist tax is expect- ed to generate €214 million, with the additional revenue helping to cover the cost of the scheme. Meanwhile, tensions have emerged over how the govern- ment intends to allocate other revenue collected from the tour- ism sector. Aides close to Finance Minis- ter Clyde Caruana have warned if Abela continues to insist that eco-contribution revenue be spent on Comino, while income collected from cruise liner tour- ists is channelled towards a new foundation dedicated to protect- ing and maintaining Valletta, the government risks missing its pub- lic finance targets. The super bonus, Labour's flag- ship election pledge, will be paid out by March, with worker re- ceiving tax-free payments ranging from €500 to €1,000 by March 2027, depending on their income in 2025. The Nationalist Party said it would retain the super bonus, but has come out against the increase in tourist contribution. It has suggested the increased rates be only in place during tour- ism high-season from May to Oc- tober. The Opposition has warned the increase will impact the sector particularly in Gozo during shoul- der months, given the large share of Maltese guests who holiday at these accommodations. 3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS Abela's last minute change of heart on full super bonus payment led to eco-tax hike KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt To accommodation sector stakeholders' surprise on the day of the budget, the eco-tax was raised further, prompting criticism from the hotel lobby and other organisations (File Photo)