We also check that scuba diving
centres operate in line with rele-
vant regulations. And complaints
are investigated too.”
Last year the Directorate also
inspected all hotels. All were li-
censed tourism accommodations
out of which, 17 were found to be
not conforming to requirements.
These resulted in ten legal ac-
tions. Out of the said 10 against
whom action was taken, three
were closed down.
Official MTA statistics for the
first half of 2017 so far show that
the Directorate registered just
over 500 new Holiday Furnished
Premises (HFPs) This means that
in seven months, we have reached
the total number of new licensed
HFPs that we had last year. “This
is a most difficult area to enforce
since most infringements happen
here,” explained Andre. “And we
can proudly say that with the gi-
gantic effort we all made, knock-
ing on doors and cross-checking
contacts, the campaign gave very
positive results indeed.”
Another example of the Directo-
rate’s sterling work is that in the
area of English language students’
accommodations, 600 licensed
host families were visited last year
and action had to be taken against
over 40 of them. Andre added
that “we have also commenced a
similar process to identify non-li-
censed catering establishments.”
offering quality service to visitors and locals alike
Official MTA statistics
for the first half of 2017
so far show that the Di-
rectorate registered just
over 500 new Holiday
Furnished Premises
Conclusion
While the word itself may sound
somewhat negative, the need for
enforcement is a necessary tool
that needs to be applied in all
spheres of business so that one can
reach one’s goals. Perhaps more so
in the hospitality industry where
one finds people who have varying
levels of quality standards that do
not always match the official ones
implemented by the authorities -
so that a high quality product and
a better, constant, holistic service
can be offered to the customer -
visitor and local alike.
Yet, as Andre has also clearly
shown in this interview, there are
also positive improvements which
his unit has been able to support
and improve without an unneces-
sary need to throw fines at people
or take them to court. That is the
last thing the Enforcement Direc-
torate wishes to do. And they are
prepared to collaborate to help
anyone who wishes to come in line
with regulations in the smoothest
possible way.
HOSPITALITY MALTA
SEPTEMBER | 2017
67