TMID Editorial: The first step towards a truly quality tourism industry<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg this week announced a set of regulations which introduce sweeping new rules that affect the tourism industry.<\/p>\n
These regulations are long overdue, and have been – quite rightly – praised in almost all quarters.<\/p>\n
These new regulations were published on Wednesday via a legal notice, under the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act.<\/p>\n
In a bid to promote Malta as a higher quality destination, these laws will stop tourism authorities from licensing new all-inclusive and tourist resorts. These new rules will also stop applications for one-star and two-star accommodations from being filed altogether.<\/p>\n
There are also changes that impact the planning sector: for example, hotels with over 200 rooms will no longer be considered, the only hostels allowed will be ones of an educational nature, inside residential zones, with a maximum of 40 beds, and an exemption that has allowed hotels to construct an additional two storeys over local plan limits will also be removed.<\/p>\n
There were also changes to the short-lets industry – a sector which has proven to be a significant nuisance to residents in particular – in order to emphasise on accountability. As part of the reforms, owners or operators of a property will be obliged to display their licence numbers on a sign outside the property, along with their name and phone number.<\/p>\n
This sign will need to remain on display at all hours so that they may receive complaints or be notified about certain issues at all times. A 10-person cap will be imposed onto all short-lets. These types of accommodations will also need to submit and provide a waste collection management plan, among other related requirements.<\/p>\n
These are all important changes that respond to some of the realities present today, but also finally give a tangible indication in favour of the direction that the government has long been advocating for: that of emphasising on quality tourism.<\/p>\n
Malta is at such a point where it does not need more hotels of a lower quality. If the country wants to attract high quality tourists, it needs quality accommodation, and more one and two star hotels are not going to reach that goal.<\/p>\n
The rolling back of a height exemption for hotels is also a noteworthy proposal, although one can argue that it has come a little bit too late and should have been implemented earlier.<\/p>\n
The changes to short-let rules are also particularly important. This sector was something of a Wild West within the tourism industry, as many owners and operators seemed to do as they please, irrespective of the inconvenience they caused to those around them.<\/p>\n
The wanton dumping of rubbish in total ignorance of the designated waste pick up days – thereby resulting in black bags, for instance, sitting out on the pavement for days on end in the blazing summer sun, attracting all sorts of vermin to the area – is one such example, and thankfully it appears that it will be one of the points tackled.<\/p>\n
It is especially good that owners will have to display their contact in such a place where residents may complain if their guests are being unruly. <\/p>\n
This is the type of responsibility that there must be in order to promote a quality environment; because after all the environment must be a quality one for both the tourists and the residents living their daily lives around them.<\/p>\n