1am music curfew risks turning Valletta into ‘another nightclub destination’ – MHRA

The extension of the music curfew in Valletta to 1am is compromising zoning policy, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said.

In a statement, the MHRA said that it has been engaged in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism about a new law concerning Valletta, allowing music to be played outside until 1am.

MHRA noted positively, that over the past years, Valletta has continued to transform itself into a destination in itself.

The MHRA said that it’s members have indeed played a critical role on this front, by investing millions of euros in developing high end quality accommodation facilities and restaurant operations, the association said.

MHRA members expressed their belief that Valletta can become a high-end destination, which ultimately not only reflects it’s UNESCO heritage site status, but also, as stated in the national tourism policy, to be part of the efforts and process of enhancing the dimension of quality for Malta’s tourism, being offered.

In this light, MHRA said that it is disappointed that there was no consultation held by the government with the relevant stakeholders, before this important legal notice was enacted. Indeed, the updated law positions Valletta alongside the three entertainment hotspots of Paceville, Buġibba and Qawra for the first time.

MHRA said that it believes that such a measure will compromise the zoning policy, in other words the possibility of creating a mix of tourism products and concepts across the Maltese islands by guiding investment opportunities in a strategic manner.

“This legal amendment is putting at high risk that Valletta becomes another nightclub destination, which as according to MHRA, should not be the target of anyone who has at heart the principles of sustainable tourism growth objectives”, the association said.

MHRA is therefore calling on the government to engage with it’s members, so as to, in a comprehensive manner, review policies related to the improvement of Valletta as a quality tourism destination, in the wider context of the Malta tourism product.

“This includes for instance the clustering of musical activity along the streets of Valletta, street cleansing and waste collection, and joint marketing initiatives amongst others”, the association said.

MHRA reiterated that enforcement remains critical, in order to ensure that the spirit of the National Tourism Policy is actually translated into concrete action. Not only does there exist a need for closer consultation with MHRA’s members, who ultimately are not only keen to ensure that quality remains at the crux of every decision taken, as related to the further sustainable development of the tourism product in Malta, but at the same time, clear direction by the Government is also necessary, so as to ensure that our investment strategies complement the national policies.

“MHRA is once again reaching out to the Government, so as to ensure that the amended law will not end up as a loophole in the system. which turns Valletta into yet another mass tourism destination”, it said.