His reply was to the point : “ We feel that there is now a need for a clear reformation of certain specific areas . In this way we need to address some of the areas which need to be looked at and propose modernisation or upgrading .”
The Malta Tourism Act , the result of years of planning , will soon be presented in Parliament he explained , adding that it is anticipated that this will be by early 2017 . Dr Edward Zammit Lewis expanded on the general ideas of the new Act by listing for us its three main areas of functionality .
The first of these is BUREAUCRACY . To give some examples , he explained that it didn ’ t make sense that the Police and the Trade department are involved in the process to issue licences to outlets . This makes for a rather heavy bureaucratic situation and one that definitely needs looking into because it is ambiguous in what licensing conditions entail . “ Our idea is to reduce this bureaucracy while also making the requirements clearer for the current stakeholders or for those wishing to be involved in it ,” he said .
Parliament is addressing the need to regularise the new realities that have developed in the market .
Secondly , Dr Edward Zammit Lewis said was the need to SPEED UP the processing involved for the operators while keeping to the right standards of professionalism .
Thirdly , was the need to recognise THE NEW REAL- ITIES that have developed in the market . As examples he outlined the sharing economy and booking accommodation directly on-line ( not collective establishments ) needs to be regulated . Such as in the case of booking a Gozo residence because the owner is going to be away for some time . This kind of thing needs to be regulated . The same can be said for boutique hotels and B & B “ for which we do not have any classification yet ” he said .
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Q1 | 2017
HOSPITALITY MALTA