Malta is one of the most tourism dependent cities in the world. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council data, 27 per cent of Malta’s economy relies on tourism, but the sector has been greatly knocked down by the Covid-19 pandemic. In an attempt to revive the tourism sector and get ahead of other rival tourist destinations, the government of Malta has offered an exciting scheme that would leave tourists shocked and even get more attraction.
The one-of-its kind scheme was announced on April 9 by the country’s Ministry of Tourism which said that all tourists who fulfil the criteria would be handed out 200 Euros each. With more and more people getting vaccinated against Coronavirus, countries are now gradually reopening borders for domestic and international travel.
Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced that tourists booking summer holidays directly through local hotels would receive the handout. He also said that most of the COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted by June 1 implying that the scheme could benefit thousands of people. “The scheme is aimed at putting Malta’s hotels in a very competitive position as international tourism restarts,” Bartolo said.
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According to the scheme, all tourists booking accommodation at a five-star hotel will get 100 euros from Malta’s Tourism Authority, which will be matched by the hotel for a total of 200 euros. In a similar arrangement, those opting for a four-star hotel will receive a total of 150 euros and those booking a three-star hotel will receive 100 euros. The grant grows by 10 per cent when bookings are made with hotels on the smaller Maltese island of Gozo, three kilometres (two miles) north of the mainland.
The handout will then be matched by each hotel, which means tourists who stay at a five-star hotel will ultimately be entitled to €200, tourists who stay at a four-star hotel will receive up to €150, and tourists who stay at a three-star hotel will be entitled to €100.
The money will be handed out to tourists directly by the hotel. To be eligible for the scheme tourists must book a minimum of three days. Bartolo said that in a bid to encourage tourists to opt for Gozo, the payments for tourists booking their stay on the sister isle will be 10 per cent higher.
Malta has the highest virus vaccination rate within the European Countries. At least 42 per cent of the adults have taken the primary dose.
The number of new COVID-19 cases have greatly declined, with the positivity rate – the percentage of tests that show a positive result – down to 2.6 per cent, and the government has been urging the EU to introduce vaccine passports to facilitate travel.
If you are looking for a vacation, why not take a paid one? Malta with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments can be a perfect destination for you.
