Relocating monti to Valletta entrance undermines ‘quality tourism efforts’

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association has become the latest pressure group to voice its disapproval of a government decision to relocate the flea market to Ordinance Street in Valletta, right next to the new parliament building.

Although the government took heed of the public outcry on the design of the new stalls, it however stood by its decision to relocate monti hawkers to Ordinance Street.

In a statement released this evening, the MHRA said it was fully supportive of the draft National Tourism Policy that insists on offering tourists quality products and tourism.

“Regrettably the decision to re-locate the monti at the new and elegant entrance of Valletta risks deviating our efforts from the attainment of the quality vision.   MHRA stresses that it is the plan to place the market at the main entrance of the Capital City, next to two important landmarks, and not just the design of the stalls which is taking us away from our quality vision,” the association said.

“The government must reconsider this decision and pursue further the vision that quality is set as the hallmark of our product without exception.  Government must remain focused on Malta becoming a centre of excellence and locating the Monti at the entrance to our Word Heritage city does not take us closer to achieving this vision.”

MHRA hailed the regeneration of Valletta as a benchmark for its efforts to take Malta to the next level.   It said that the tourism industry must capitalise on the country’s strengths by taking the decisions in favour of quality even if this means a change from what to date has been considered as the norm. 

This direction was necessary as, according to MHRA, it was the only way to position Malta at a level that could best present the island’s unique product and more significantly differentiate Malta from other competitors thus ensuring  the continued success of the tourism sector in a dynamic and competitive international market. 

“MHRA notes the positive direction Malta has adopted especially where places like Mdina, The Three cities, and Valletta are concerned, however one must not let up on this road to quality.”