Swieqi Mayor Calls for Urgent Action Amid Short-Let Crisis
Swieqi is facing a crisis, not just a problem- that’s the strong message from Mayor Noel Muscat, who has once again appealed to national authorities for immediate intervention over the growing impact of short-let apartments on the locality.
In a statement also sent to top government officials, Muscat outlined a series of ongoing issues plaguing the residential town, including improper garbage disposal, continuous disturbances, and vandalism. He attributes much of the disruption to tourists residing in short-let properties and the cleaning operations that follow.
“Swieqi has been practically stripped of its residential nature,” Muscat said, warning that another 1,000 short-let beds are expected by next summer. The mayor argued that Swieqi, a town originally intended for residential use, is now being overwhelmed by unregulated commercial activity masked as tourism.
He criticised the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) for issuing licences without proper understanding of local and social dynamics, and condemned government inaction despite years of warnings. A 2016 report submitted to then-Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis had already highlighted these problems.
View this post on Instagram
The council is now demanding a 12-point action plan, including but not limited to:
- A moratorium on short-let permits until a carrying capacity study is completed.
- Classifying short-lets as commercial use, requiring changes to planning regulations.
- Stricter licensing conditions, including mandatory waste management and noise control.
- Closer cooperation between the MTA and local councils.
- Increased police patrols, especially at night.
- New regulations for 24/7 outlets in residential zones.
- The introduction of on-the-spot fines and bodycams to enforce rules more effectively.
The mayor stressed that if no action is taken, more residents will continue to leave Swieqi, saying: “Residents deserve respect and a better quality of life. Enough is enough. Now is the time to act.”
Last week, Lovin Malta hit the streets of Swieqi to ask residents how rowdy tourism and public disorder were affecting them, and they definitely didn’t fall short of things to mention.
Do you agree with Noel Muscat?
READ NEXT: €175 Million Superyacht Docks In Malta’s Grand Harbour
