Is the Departure Tax of Lm20 justified?

Results of 13th October 2006


There is one tax Maltese travellers are angry about most, the departure tax of actually Lm20? In no other country of the world a government punishes its citizens that are willing to travel more than in Malta. There are departure taxes elsewhere, but not amounting to Lm20, and often these taxes are for foreigners only and not for locals. In many people's eyes the Maltese Departure Tax is limiting the right of free movement in the European Union. Actually the EU is investigating in the matter and might file a case against the Maltese government. In order to calm down the public a bit, the Maltese government announced that the departure tax will be reduced to Lm10 from next summer on. Still, many people believe that the departure tax is illegal. Is the Departure Tax of Lm20 (Lm10) justified?

Between 1st and 13th October 2006 more than 250 people participated in this online poll. Thank you very much!

Here the details:

280 votes were cast in this poll.
Unfortunately, there were 14 people who voted more than one time. The votes of these 14 people had to be made invalid in order to obtain a result which is more honest and true.
So the number of valid votes was 253.

Here the percentages that the various answers got:
Yes:                                5 votes   =    1,98 %
No:                               244 votes   =   96,44 %
I don't know:                       4 votes   =    1,58 %

INTERPRETATIONS:

The result of this poll does not need any deep analysis. Almost everyone does not see the departure tax justified. Do I have to say more?

The editor would like to point out, that this poll is not representative for the whole country. However, it gives a clear indication anyway.

The Maltese people are upset about this discriminatory tax. The government has to remove it completely!