Insider Special Edition 2015 | Page 30

“E mpowering people through tourism” is Andrew’s prompt answer upon being asked about his vision for the forum. He answers with his usual enthusiasm, speaking at breakneck speed, hardly leaving you time to think let alone jot down notes. He is a constantly hyped-up man, doing several things at a time, empowering those around him with his passion. “The vision behind empowering people,” he tells me, “is that you give independence and hope to people through tourism. Tourism creates work and wealth—not just wealth in material terms but way beyond that because the wealth created is also something that cannot be measured in numbers. But this is a great start and the Assembly will take place on the same day as the Forum, the 4th December. Things are looking up—and we have mountains of stuff to do and to deliver. The Government has pledged that money because it believes in our project and knows we can deliver something way beyond just words.” The Mediterranean has been a protagonist in world affairs for millennia—from here sprouted the main classical cultures which built western civilisation. It has also seen bloodshed, colonisation, pillaging and now even largescale terrorism. I prod Agius Muscat about this—can tourism be the saviour for all? Agius Muscat believes tourism must be the medicine to win back the glory that once was the Mediterranean. Today this region is coloured more by problems than glory and the Mediterranean identity is being negatively affected. “Tourism,” the MHRA CEO tells us, “can never be the only solution but surely tourism can “Tourism provides wealth not just to a certain class of people but it does so across the whole demographical spectrum – and so in reality through tourism one gains independence. Tourism gives people scope and when people are empowered to manage their future they feel good. This in turn increases the overall chances of stability in those countries where more people are empowered,” he says. But obviously this is mainly based on people talking, people’s wishes. Where else does Agius Muscat want the MTF to go—surely he doesn’t just want a talking shop? Agius Muscat smiles a knowing smile and says: “Definitely not! What we want is to gather together all those touristic stakeholders who have a vested interest in the Mediterranean. Not just to talk about sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean but to promote it and implement it across the whole region. This must be a forum wherein people meet and work together not just speak together; no, I do not believe it will be just a talking shop. That would defeat our mission and our vision.” When I ask Agius Muscat what sort of response other stakeholders and countries are giving, he says it is picking up nicely. At a local level, the Foundation has been gi ven support from the government, which has pledged a good start-up amount to finance the setting-up of the Foundation. But even internationally support is coming in– from those with an interest in tourism. This, according to the MHRA supremo, is evidenced by the fact that the first assembly of the Mediterranean Tourism Forum will soon be taking place, with 30 countries represented by different stakeholders present. “It’s still the beginning and much more needs to be done. 28 2015 INSIDER SPECIAL EDITION