Continuous professional development programme for tourist guides

"Tourism is a people business and thus entails the need for constant development and keeping abreast with new trends" - Dr Mario de Marco

The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism said this when opening a half day seminar as part of the Continuous Professional Development Programme for Tourist Guides organised by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and supported by the Malta Union of Tourist Guides (MUTG).

Dr de Marco referred to the fact that the soft side of our tourism product is as important as the infrastructural one, and that tourist guides are one of the most important ingredients in Malta’s tourism offer.

The Parliamentary Secretary added that the fact that guides are in direct contact with those who visit us, makes them well-placed to indicate any action which might be taken to address any shortcomings and implement any suggestions. This is why frequent contact is being maintained between the MUTG and his Secretariat as well as the MTA.

Dr de Marco said that government is taking action to address these issues, such as the Valletta City Gate project with the plan of freeing the Grandmaster’s Palace from Parliament and thus addressing one of the major problems being encountered by guides in their work when visiting this magnificent building.