Hospitality Malta 1 | Page 47

The capability to sell at a ( slightly ) higher rate than one ’ s competitors in the same category is only achievable through the quality of service offered such that the client will then overlook the slight increase in favour of a better service .
because the 3-Stars have their own specific market and should be able to provide their own in terms of quality too . For example some clients often see us as offering a more family atmosphere than 5-Star hotels .
At the moment , the 3 star market is probably the strongest classification on the local market . And as the trend is developing , visitors who used to come here for one holiday of about 15 days are now coming back three times a year , each time for 5 days ; with the net result that this is profitable for us indeed . The main thing is to ensure that the local 3-Star hotels are of the required levels , that the client gets the money that he / she is paying for .
One cannot not emphasise the importance for the authorities to also concentrate on the upkeep of certain strategic places such as Sliema and Valletta as well as the seashore areas because we all believe that increased cleanliness is not only a local council responsibility but one in which the central government should be involved . This will , for example , ensure that a higher level of street cleanliness is maintained . At the same time one should look forward to increased seriousness on the Island in general such that if visitors are in Sliema they should not be allowed to go out into the streets in their swim suit but should be clearly directed to understand that there is a dress code for the beach and another for the promenade . Keeping up a standard is good for the general image .
Although client attitudes are the result of today ’ s laissez faire culture nonetheless there should be a balance to get the best of both worlds . The upkeep of the country should be everyone ’ s priority - in the summer peak season there should be a better cleanup effort by the authorities concerned .
The 3-Stars have their own niche market . We have to position the Malta product in a way that all categories are important for the client to choose from , and not to suggest that certain categories can be done away with . If the drive to quality tourism continues to grow and bring in visitors there will nonetheless always be a place for the 3-Star hotels , and , in the worst scenario , these hotels will still be able to maintain their market portion .
Clients often perceive 3-Star hotels as offering a highly familial atmosphere .
HOSPITALITY MALTA Q1 | 2017

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