Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo declined to give details when asked for a list of beneficiaries for complimentary tickets for the recent Manchester United v Birkirkara FC match.

Answering a parliamentary question by opposition MP Darren Carabott for a list of beneficiaries of Manchester United tickets, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo declined to give a specific answer, citing ‘commercial sensitivity’.

Carabott was following up a previous PQ where he asked Bartolo if Malta is getting any benefits from the sponsorship deal between Manchester United FC and VisitMalta.

He had asked if there were any perks, or discounts on Manchester United league tickets. Bartolo had answered at the time that Manchester United would be providing a number of free tickets for the Premier Championship and FA Cup at Old Trafford.

These tickets are meant for the MTA to give out to host journalists, influencers, prize-winners, tour operators and foreign event organisers as a public relations exercise and to strengthen VisitMalta’s relationship with them.

In response, Carabott had asked for a list with the names of the beneficiaries of these tickets and which of the above categorisations they fell under.

The minister answered that during the last three years of the agreement most of the tickets were used primarily by representatives of, mostly British, tour operators. A number of tickets were also distributed to British radio stations to be rewarded as prizes for Maltese themed competitions.

“The requested information is commercially sensitive and cannot be divulged” he answered.

Bartolo invited Carabott to view the information personally if he wished.

This sponsorship deal was signed three years ago, under authority of then Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi. The details for this deal were also “classified” due to commercial sensitivity but it is believed that millions changed hands in order for Malta to become Manchester United’s official destination partner.