Malta is paying tourists to visit
The Maltese capital of Valletta
(Getty/iStock)Malta has launched a scheme paying tourists to visit.
The European island nation relies heavily on tourism for income, and is aiming to lure back holidaymakers with the promise of up to €200 towards their accommodation for stays of three nights or more.
Visitors staying at participating five-star hotels will get €100 towards the cost of their stay from the Malta Tourism Authority, with the hotel matching the amount, equalling €200 off in total.
Four-star guests will get a total of €150 off, while those at three-stars will get a €100 incentive.
Those staying on the island of Gozo, 25 minutes off the coast of Malta by ferry, get an extra 10 per cent off their booking.
“The scheme is aimed at putting Malta's hotels in a very competitive position as international tourism restarts,” tourism minister Clayton Bartolo told Reuters.
The Tourism Authority has allocated €3.5m for the scheme, and hopes to attract 35,000 visitors through it.
The scheme is currently in the initial phase, where hotels are being asked to sign up. It’s unclear when exactly the scheme will begin for tourists.
Malta is second only to the UK in Europe in terms of the speed of its vaccination rollout, with 54.58 doses given per 100 people so far.
On 31 March, the Maltese government announced that British holidaymakers would be welcome this summer, so long as they have been fully vaccinated.
From 1 June, tourists from the UK who can show proof that they have had both coronavirus jabs at least 10 days prior to arrival are no longer required to present a negative Covid PCR test.
Passengers will need to show a vaccination card when boarding to travel to Malta.
Tolene Van Der Merwe, director UK & Ireland of Malta Tourism Authority, said: “Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta’s economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June 2021.
“The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in year out.”
Foreign holidays remain illegal in England until 17 May at the earliest.
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