Updated 1200
Malta Slips to 15th in EU Minimum Wage Rankings as Eastern Economies Surge: Malta has fallen from eighth to 15th among the 22 EU countries with statutory minimum wages, according to Eurofound’s latest 10-year review. Rapid wage growth, particularly in central and eastern Europe, has seen countries including Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Croatia overtake Malta. However, Eurofound’s ranking measures gross wages and does not account for taxation, social contributions, benefits or living costs. Malta’s lower tax burden, capped social security contributions and state support can therefore produce a different picture of minimum-wage workers’ disposable income. (Maltatoday)
Malta Welcomes Almost Half a Million Tourists in July: Almost half a million tourists visited Malta in July, an increase of 20.8 per cent over the same month last year, according to the National Statistics Office. More than 465,000 visitors came for holidays, while just over 13,000 travelled to Malta for work-related reasons. Tourists spent €538 million during the month, up by more than 19 per cent annually, while tourist nights increased by 15.1 per cent. Around 88 per cent of nights were spent in rented accommodation establishments. Visitors from the UK, Italy and Poland accounted for around 45 per cent of total arrivals, with these markets continuing to grow. More than 314,000 tourists also visited Gozo or Comino, either on day trips or staying overnight, representing 64 per cent of all visitors. In the first seven months, Malta welcomed more than 2.6 million tourists who spent over €2.334 billion. (TVM News)
MHRA Urges Quality Tourism Focus, Calls to End Public Funding for Party Events: The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has urged Malta to prioritise quality and respectful tourism following weekend incidents linked to party entertainment. It warned that such incidents could undermine efforts to position Malta as a higher-value destination. The association called for public tourism funding to exclude party events, while stressing they should remain permitted commercially under clear rules covering security, crowd control, alcohol, noise, cleanliness and public order. MHRA said Malta can maintain a vibrant entertainment sector while protecting visitors, residents and the tourism industry’s reputation. (Newsbook)
Malta-Founded EC English Language Centre to Close After 35 Years: Malta-founded EC English Language Centre is closing after 35 years, citing difficult financial and market conditions and its failure to secure new investment. Established in 1991, EC expanded to eight countries and taught around 45,000–50,000 students annually at its 2019 peak. Directors said efforts to secure investors and strategic partners failed, leading to formal winding-up proceedings. Around 100 Malta-based employees are affected. FELTOM is coordinating with member schools to accommodate EC students, prioritising those currently studying in Malta and hundreds due to arrive in the coming weeks. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Government starts Budget 2027 consultations in Gozo
Prime Minister Robert Abela has launched a series of consultations with social partners ahead of Budget 2027, beginning with a meeting in Gozo with members of the Gozo Regional Committee. The committee presented proposals covering five main areas: accessibility and connectivity, health, economic diversification, education and human capital, and energy, the environment and climate change. Discussions focused on Gozo’s future, economic opportunities and the impact of development. Abela said development should continue in a balanced and sustainable manner, with quality of life remaining at the centre of government decisions. On connectivity between the islands, Abela said two companies had expressed interest in a tender for the lease of a fourth Gozo Channel vessel. He also highlighted the fast ferry service, which is expected to reach almost two million passengers by the end of the year. The meeting also covered further investment in roads, public spaces, village centres, sports, culture and recreational facilities, as well as accessibility, safety and the urban environment. (TVM News)
Malta Chamber calls for economic reset in budget proposals
The Malta Chamber has called for a fundamental reset of Malta’s economic model, warning that growth has relied too heavily on imported labour rather than productivity gains. Launching its pre-Budget 2027 document, Reset and Lead, Chamber President William Spiteri Bailey said Malta had reached a point where “adjusting around the edges is no longer enough”. The document contains more than 150 proposals and calls for a shift from volume to value, with greater emphasis on productivity, skills and higher value-added activity. The Chamber is also calling for an overhaul of the work permit system, arguing that removing administrative obstacles could help make better use of people already living and working in Malta. Spiteri Bailey pointed to third-country nationals being left unable to work for weeks after changing employers because of bureaucratic delays. The Chamber also warned that weak enforcement and limited accountability had undermined public trust in institutions. (The Malta Indwependent)
Malta welcomes almost half a million tourists in July
Almost half a million tourists visited Malta in July, an increase of 20.8 per cent over the same month last year, according to the National Statistics Office. More than 465,000 visitors came for holidays, while just over 13,000 travelled to Malta for work-related reasons. Tourists spent €538 million during the month, up by more than 19 per cent annually, while tourist nights increased by 15.1 per cent. Around 88 per cent of nights were spent in rented accommodation establishments. Visitors from the UK, Italy and Poland accounted for around 45 per cent of total arrivals, with these markets continuing to grow. More than 314,000 tourists also visited Gozo or Comino, either on day trips or staying overnight, representing 64 per cent of all visitors. In the first seven months, Malta welcomed more than 2.6 million tourists who spent over €2.334 billion. (TVM News)
