‘What Kind of Tourists Are We Attracting?’: Officials Sound Alarm Over Disorder
Public officials and industry leaders are calling on the government to clarify its tourism strategy following a series of police raids in Malta’s main entertainment zones over the weekend.
Nationalist MP Mario de Marco questioned whether Malta is attracting the right kind of tourist after it emerged that some visitors required police escorts from their home countries.
“We need an explanation from the government, particularly from the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for Home Affairs,” de Marco said in a social media post.
“What quality of tourists are we bringing to our country if they need to be accompanied by their own police? And why is our own police force seemingly unable to maintain public order?”
His comments refer in part to the recent deployment of Italian police officers to Malta, a bilateral initiative aimed at improving public safety in tourism hotspots like St Julian’s and Valletta. These included charges against five retail outlets for selling alcohol after 9pm and the closure of a restaurant operating without a responsible person on-site.
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomed the police clampdown, saying such action is necessary to safeguard Malta’s image as a “civil, respectful, and culturally rich destination”.
“The MHRA fully supports the continuation of enforcement measures in all tourism zones,” the association said, urging stronger legislative and operational backing to ensure long-term impact.
It also called for an updated legal framework, more resources for the police, and greater visibility of behavioural guidelines through public signage.
The crackdown followed rising complaints by residents and local councils, particularly in Swieqi, where short-let apartments have been linked to late-night noise, public disorder, and waste issues. Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat has since called for changes to planning policies to better regulate these types of tourist accommodations.
The MHRA stressed that disruptive behaviour not only affects residents but also hurts Malta’s hospitality sector.
“This behaviour diminishes the visitor experience, disrupts daily life, and damages the reputation of an industry that strives to uphold international standards.”