INTOUCH. In this issue: MHRA s e-magazine ISSUE 3/2015. MHRA meets the Minister for Tourism on the tourism Strategy. Maximum Demand Charge Seminar

Transcription

1 INTOUCH MHRA s e-magazine ISSUE 3/2015 In this issue: MHRA meets the Minister for Tourism on the tourism Strategy Maximum Demand Charge Seminar BOV DELOITTE MHRA Q Hotels Survey Innovation Leaders Training Programme ESCA bronze label Certificate Seminar Talk on Coeliac Disease EPALE

2 INTOUCH Page 1 TOURISM MINISTER, MHRA AGREE TO PROMOTE MED. COUNTRIES Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) have agreed that Mediterranean countries should band together and promote the Mediterranean region in countries like China in order to attract more tourists. Tony Zahra, President of the MHRA, mentioned that the Mediterranean Tourism Forum was soon to be established as the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis expressed that he wished to see the forum discuss further topics such as Mediterranean security as well as policies which could have an impact on tourism. He said that Malta should promote its safe environment. This was said during a meeting between the Minister for Tourism and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) about Malta's tourism strategy. Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the government has been working in partnership with the MHRA and discussions were currently underway for the next phase in the policy. Although the current policy ran until 2016, the Minister said he does not want to leave it till the last minute to draft the plan for the three years following. The renewal of the policy, he said, will be revealed towards the end of March, closely followed by the implementation plan. The Minister spoke of the need to improve Malta's Tourism product, and argued against claims that Malta had reached its saturation point. He indicated that there were areas where improvements could be made in order to attract more tourists. Dr Zammit Lewis mentioned that an independent expert was hired, and was currently analysing the 2014 figures in order to see where improvements can be made. In addition to this, the government was working on prediction figures. He argues that current indicative figures showed that length of stays seemed to be improving during winter. On his part, Mr Zahra took note of the recent fuel reduction price and mentioned a further planned fuel reduction in April, hoping that the government kept this promised reduction as well. Turning to his vision of Malta, Mr Zahra said that he wanted Malta to become like Luxembourg. With this goal in mind, any decisions affecting the Tourism industry could be put into this perspective. He stressed that Malta must look beyond capacity.

3 INTOUCH Page 2 MAXIMUM DEMAND CHARGE SEMINAR In a recent seminar, the members were informed on the latest develoments on the Government's initiative to promote energy efficiency in particular amongst major consumers of energy. MHRA in collaboration with The Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit - (The SEWCU) addressed amongst others to General Managers, Financial Controllers and Engineers on how best to manage the maximum demand for energy by hotels and major restaurant operations. Ing. Joseph Restall, MHRA Council Member, Mr. Kevin Chircop, Enemalta Director and Mr. Stefano Camerano gave presentations on how the scheme will be applied. The Head Table The Participants Ing. Joseph Restall Mr Stafano Camerano QUARTER BOV-DELOITTE HOTELS SURVEY During the foruth qurarter of 2014 Malta s Tourism sector continued to report improvements over the same period last year on most key performance indicators in line with the trends recroded in All hotel sectors reported increases in occupancy, room rates and non-accommodation income, resulting in signifantly improved revenue. All sectors also reported increases in their cost base but such increases were more than offset by the revenue improvement resulting in improved bottom line. The 5-star sector reported a 24% increase in Gross Operating Profit per available room (GOPAR)when compared to the same period last year and a 17% increase on a full year bases.

4 INTOUCH Page 3 The 4-star sector reported a 47% increase in GOPAR when compare to the same peri od last year and a 20% increase on full year bases. The Q4 losses reported by the 3-star sector were less than half of what was reported in In fact on 2013 this sector reported a GOPAR of 71%. TOURISM ARRIVALS GUEST NIGHTS TOURIST EXPENDITURE +8.7% +8.7% +8.7% Mark Scicluna Bartoli Head of EU & Institutional Affairs BOV making his presentation on BOV4SME Toni Attard Director Strategy of Culture Arts Council Malta presenting the Impact of Culture on Tourism Andrew Agius Muscat - CEO presenting FIJET (World Foeneration of Travel Journalists& Writers) Ms Brigitte Tanti-Malta Enterprise making her presentation on EU & National Funding Opportunities David Bonett from Deloitte presenting the Q4 results

5 INTOUCH Page 4 Julian Diacono speaking about the Present Booking Scenario Closing address by Mr T. Zahra - President HELPING SMES ACCESS INNOVATION, TRAINING AND CREATIVITY FUNDS At a launch event for the Innovation Leaders Training Programme, held at the Exchange Buildings in Valletta, the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) announced its plans to boost SME take-up of three key EU funding streams. The Innovation Leaders Training Programme runs until June 2015, with the aim to train 150 applicants from within the private sector, resulting in at least 15 project proposals presented for funding under the Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ and Creative Europe streams. Additionally, following the closure of the project, it is anticipated that the 15 individuals who submitted their project proposals, will train and mentor an additional 30 individuals by As the take up of Direct EU funds by the local private sector was still largely unexploited, this was a notably significant proposed outcome particularly when the funding streams involved could provide funding opportunities in areas such as creativity, training, research and development. Opening the event, MBB President Mario Spiteri commented that experience had shown that the take-up of Direct EU funds from Maltese businesses was very low. There were many reasons behind this, with the most evident being a lack of knowledge and resources and therefore, he continued it was a priority for the MBB to address this issue. The Innovation Leaders Programme was a key measure through which we will build and strengthen the capacity within enterprises to tap into Direct EU funding themselves. Addressing attendees, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Hon. Dr Ian Borg stated that the public sector had considerable expertise in applying for EU funds through ministerial funding stream coordinators. However, they could only assist enterprises to apply for funds being awarded these funds depends upon the quality of the initiative and the proposal. Hence, the MBB s initiative provided the industry with a much needed and welcome bridge, through which industry s capacity to develop relevant and strong initiatives could be boosted and therefore could be funneled towards the appropriate public contact points. The event was also addressed by MBB CEO Mr. Joe Tanti and EPA Secretary General Ms. Katarina Sipic, who highlighted expected benefits from the programme for Maltese enterprises.

6 INTOUCH Page 5 MHRA ACHIEVES THE EUROPEAN CLUSTER EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE BRONZE LABEL CERTIFICATE Recently, the Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association (MHRA) was awarded the Cluster Management Excellence Label BRONZE Striving for Cluster Excellence. This label demonstrates the MHRA s interest in cluster excellence which is reflected through its participation in the ESCA benchmarking exercise. All cluster management organisations that participate in such a benchmarking exercise carried out by ESCA receive this label. The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) was established to offer practical advice to cluster management organizations. Today, ESCA is a network of cluster experts from 27 countries. Clusters are complex and dynamic structures that are subject to continuous change. Strong clusters can promote economic growth through leveraging the innovation and business potential of a region. In this context ESCA offers services in two areas: ESCA promotes cluster management excellence through benchmarking and quality labelling of clusters and cluster management organizations. ESCA has been mandated by the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) to organise the assessment process. ESCA supports cluster policy makers and programme owners with advice on cluster programme development. The benchmarking activities of ESCA are well recognised by many cluster policy stakeholders throughout Europe, who have integrated approaches toward cluster management excellence into their policies and programmes. SEMINAR BY THE TOURISM INNOVATION GENERATION CLUSTER (TIGC)

7 INTOUCH Page 6 TALK BY THE PRESIDENT S FOUNDATION FOR THE WELLBEING OF SOCIETY BRAND NEW EUROPEAN ADULT LEARNING PLATFORM (EPALE) The Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe - known as EPALE - is a new initiative funded by the European Commission. The platform is the latest development in the EU s long-term commitment to promoting high quality adult learning in Europe. It will be open to teachers, trainers and volunteers, as well as policy-makers, researchers and academics involved in adult learning. EPALE will deliver a range of distinctive features, making it the primary site for adult learning in Europe. The site will offer interactive networks, enabling users to link with others all around Europe, engage in discussions and exchange good practice. A calendar of European and national events will keep users up to date on professional development opportunities. News feeds and feature articles by leading experts in adult learning will ensure that the latest adult education policy and debates are accessible to EPALE users. EPALE will be multilingual, so users in any Member States can make full use of the site and its many resources. It is going to be an open membership site meaning that users can connect with other

8 INTOUCH Page 7 adult learning professionals, practitioners and volun teers throughout Europe. Each participating country will contribute information, events, resources, etc. The site is set to become a permanent feature of the adult learning landscape. To view the site please enter:

9 INTOUCH Page 8 SPONSORS SPONSORS SPONSORS

10 INTOUCH Page 9 COMPILED BY: CHARLES XUEREB EXECUTIVE SECRETARY /4 secretary@mhra.org.mt SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS We re on the Web! Visit us at: Find us on Facebook: pages/malta-hotels- and-restaurants- Association/