Josef Formosa Gauci was an accountant as well

No wonder MHRA is SILENT on this matter as the latest news:

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) president Paul Bugeja is the favourite to replace outgoing Malta Tourism Authority CEO Josef Formosa Gauci.

MaltaToday is informed that tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis has approached Bugeja – who already sits on the MTA board – to fill in the void left by the outgoing CEO.

In comments to MaltaToday, Bugeja could not confirm whether he would be appointed, however he said “discussions are ongoing, but nothing has been finalised yet.”

He said that government and the MTA were keeping their options open but said that due to commercially sensitive information, he wasn’t in a position to comment any further.

“Government is keen on filling in all the vacancies at MTA at the earliest,” Bugeja said, adding that the sooner the vacancies are filled the better for the industry.

Apart from heading the industry’s top lobby, Bugeja currently serves as the Corinthia group’s Chief Financial Officer.

Earlier, travel and tourism operators today thanked the outgoing CEO at the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), Josef Formosa Gauci, “for his sterling contribution to the industry” and called on government to recommend to the MTA Board a possible successor in the shortest time possible.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/business/business_news/41996/paul_bugeja_touted_for_mta_top_job#.U-E2CVN03Dd

So MTA is to be run by an accountant – oh my God.

Dear Daphne,

Did anyone notice that it was only a few days earlier that the Minister nominated the new Malta Tourism Authority board?

If you had to look at those sitting on this very sensitive and important board to lead our tourism industry, you will notice that it is made up of an ex-MTA employee and now running a hotel which is also represented on MHRA council, an ex-consultant to the same MTA and ex-President of MHRA, the President of the same MHRA who is said to be an accountant in one of the hotels (stand to be corrected on this), an ex-parliamentary secretary, an ex-secretary to the former minister of tourism and now representing English Language Schools – at least this section of tourism is still growing in numbers and contributing to our GDP, a representative of the Federation of travel agents, by right – a representative of Malta Airport who are surely an important stakeholders and last – an entrepreneur (???).

With due respect to the last one, on what credentials and what type of contribution can we expect on this essential board?

However, the new board seems to be made up of 3 persons from MHRA, who is very quiet on this issue.

Does one smell something here?

Any spokes in the wheels from this association?

Is there any connection between this association and the other one (hospitality executives association – if I am not wrong) who in January when Mr. Formosa Gauci was being back-stabbed on the labour news papers, stood up and was reported that its president called on government to “keep politics miles away from tourism”?

I believe that they knew what they were saying in January as they foresaw the onslaught of Mr. Formosa Gauci. But, who was involved in the back-stabbing?
How come MHRA is very silent? Any involvement?

Can you dig in and try to find the truth and keep us all informed?

Thank you Ms. Caruana Galizia in anticipation.

The uneasiness that has developed in the authority and the Ministry in he last few months has left a gap between a stable and flimsy situation. We need people in tourism who are professionals and who understand the broader aspect of this activity.

This is not a sector for the dilettante and the cowboy entrepreneur.

I have a feeling Josef Formosa Gauci’s replacement may be one of those two.

I really hope that I am wrong. Anyway thank you to Josef and all those at MTA and the ministry who, in the past showed dedication and commitment to this sector.

A concert of Joseph Calleja is simply for the enjoyment of his audience and the promotion of Calleja and the other performers. If it is screened elsewhere again it is for viewers to enjoy his singing. Nothing more.

How ever is seeing a stage with fancy lighting a good promotion for the country? Nothing of the country is being shown. Nothing to entice them to come to Malta. We hardly have Joseph Callejas singing in every village square all year round.

Where is the MHRA in this?

It is not the order of the day, it is the institution.

I have it from good sources that the MHRA are fighting tooth and nail to have another competent CEO who is experienced within the industry.

Zammit Lewis is extremely annoyed that Gulia is being pushed down his throat and it looks like he could be losing his influence on the choice of CEO.

Tough Eddy, now you know.

Funnily enough this client too is not Maltese but she has good contacts in the Eternal City.

Expect fireworks in this sense sometime in September.

Why not the excellent jazz festival or some plays organised at the Manoel Theatre or some other events?

Joseph Calleja can probably sell out a concert anyway with a bit of effort.

The organisers of other events, especially those which struggle to attract large crowds, should kick up a stink.

Funds should be funnelled to all or none.

I don’t agree with the government funding concerts except in very special circumstances but if it really has to, then it should have a fund which all event organisers can tap or at least, a rotating procedure, funding one or two different events a year.

The million euros given capriciously to NnG are a scandal and I’m surprised that not much fuss has been made about them, especially when one remembers that a fuss was made about money spent on a papal visit some years ago. The pope is a head of state, and a very popular one at that. That money was justified. This is not because it is a private business venture.

2. What is the area of the standing-room space leased back by the government, for how much, and for how many hours?