Tourists booking summer holidays to Malta directly through local hotels will receive a financial handout, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said.

Addressing a press conference, Bartolo said the Malta Tourism Authority had been allocated €3.5million for the scheme that will impact some 35,000 tourists travelling to the island from June.

Tourists booking accommodation at a five-star hotel directly through the hotel’s booking system will receive a €100 handout from the Malta Tourism Authority.

Those opting for a four-star hotel will receive €75, while three-star hotel accommodation booked directly through the hotel will come with a €50 payment.

Hotels that wish to participate in the scheme will first have to declare their interest with the Malta Tourism Authority.

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% higher.

Hotels interested in participating in the scheme are to register with the MTA here.

A separate scheme announced by Bartolo on Friday will see the MTA fork out some €3million to travel agencies that bring tourists to Malta and Gozo.

The funds will go towards marketing and other incentives and Bartolo said talks are already being held with a number of major operators across Europe.

He said the MTA has already signed around 75 agreements with operators, including Tui, VisitEurope, Sunspot, Chevron, and On The Beach.

 

Read more about the best places to visit in Malta: https://travelfree.info/best-places-to-visit-in-malta/