TOURISM

PROACT MALTA

TOURISM

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Ministry for Tourism

Malta Tourist Authority

THE FACTS

[Updates or additional information - from whatever source - is very welcome! doc 01.02.2002]

Malta's economy is HEAVILY dependent on tourism.
The Ministry for Tourism is beginning to wake up to:

a) that the bird slaughter is damaging Malta's image as a holiday destination
b) that Malta cannot rely in future on mass 'sun-tourism'

In an editorial entitled "Going beyond numbers" in the Times of Malta the future of the tourist industry is discussed in terms of "raising the profile, and hence the spending power, of the visitors." At a recent meeting between the Enviroment and Tourism ministers the establishment of a working group to study 'eco' or 'soft' tourism was discussed.

Neither the Minister for Tourism or the Malta Tourist Authority have seen fit to reply to Proact campaign letters in the past. With a new consciousness this will hopefully change.

[Mails can be 'filtered out' by title if the recipient(s) are being snowed under. Vary the title in the subject box if you have time - and a vivid imagination!]

MAIL TO MINISTER DR MICHAEL REFALO / CHAIRMAN MALTA TOURIST AUTHORITY

DRAFT TEXT - PLEASE MODIFY IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR LANGUAGE
NOTE THE ALTERNATIVE TEXTS IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH!

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Mailing Methods

THE FUTURE OF MALTA'S ECONOMY IS AT STAKE

Dr. Michael A. Refalo
Ministry for Tourism

Copy to:
Dr John C. Grech
Director, Malta Tourist Authority

Dear Dr Refalo,
Dear Dr Grech

The growing criticism, both on Malta and worldwide, of the barbaric spectacle of grown men senselessly and illegally slaughtering migrant birds must have given you cause for concern especially in this UN designated year of International Ecotourism.

Perhaps you will now find time to respond to the concerned conservationists who have written to you regularly to draw your attention to this unacceptable and barbaric depletion of Malta's and Europe's shrinking natural resources. Not forgetting the associated social and cultural effects terrorism of illegal hunting opponents and destruction of ancient monuments.

Is this the future of tourism on Malta? A barren island - which might still attract the last cheap sun and alcohol tourists; or hardened war games players seeking new venues for their violent hobby? Can you afford to ignore the tourist behavioural trends? You are surely professionally aware of the increasing trend to individual 'alternative' holidays; the attempt to find new energy in quiet and natural surroundings as compensation for the stresses of our modern industrial and technological world. The 'Eco' and 'soft' tourists from the professional and service industry classes with money in their pockets. A lucrative market.

In your own interest, put an end to the bloody and barbaric scenes which are regularly reported in the Maltese and international press. The wave of protest among the citizens of your islands, and abroad will otherwise continue unabated.

We urge you this time to take our concerns, and all similar letters, seriously. Not all Europeans are capable of expressing themselves perfectly in English; or have the time to compose individual texts; but the content and sentiments of this letter reflect our views entirely.

Yours sincerely,

[Name & Address]

ADDRESS IN FULL:

Dr. Michael A. Refalo
Ministry for Tourism,
Auberge d'Italie,
Merchants Street,
Valletta - CMR 02
Malta

email: info@visitmalta.com; joseph.micaleff.@magnet.mt

Fon: +356 21225111
Fax: +356 22981201

Dr. John C Grech
Director
Malta Tourist Authority
280 Republic St.,
Valletta CMR 02
Malta

email: info@visitmalta.com

Fon: +356 21224444/5
Fax: +356 21220401

If you send an email separately, please copy it to:

PROACT PROJECT MALTA

This helps us at Proact to monitor the scope of the campaign and increase our effectiveness in future.

Thank you,

David Conlin
Proact International