A Height Adjustment Policy for hotels in touristic areas was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes, Michael Farrugia and Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella this morning.

In a statement following the announcement, the Malta  Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) said this gives Malta’s tourism industry an edge in a highly competitive and volatile international tourism market.

The policy, by which hoteliers may build an additional two storeys on their property, is intended to improve economies of scale and result in better profitability.

Addressing a press conference in Qawra, Dr Farrugia said that as a result of emerging trends and competition from other countries, certain hotels would like to expand but cannot according to existent policies and consequently it will be made possible.

Furthermore, certain hotels have a good percentage of their area taken up by open areas including gardens and swimming pools and the policy is intended to make up for such lost capacity. However, hotels cannot be extended by more than two storeys.

The touristic areas identified are Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and St Julian’s, Paceville, Sliema, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga. Gozo is being considered as a touristic area in general and applications will be treated on case by case basis.

The hotels that apply for extensions under the policy cannot be in Outside Development Zones, Urban Conservation Areas, areas of high archeological and historical value and residential priority areas.

Before being given the go ahead, the Malta Tourism Authority must give its approval while Transport Malta will be consulted when it comes to parking and traffic arrangements.

So far, he said that three hotels are interested in the policy but he expects interest to be great once hoteliers learn more about the scheme.

He also pointed out that the policy started to be discussed in the past legislature a number of months ago and consultations had taken place. The Labour Party in Opposition had agreed with the initiative but it was never taken forward.

Dr Farrugia also pointed out that the consultation exercise ‘Semma Lehnek’ has been extended till 10 June as part of the Mepa reform and suggestions can be sent to [email protected]. Recommendations will however continue to be received throughout the legislature.

Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said the policy, which may substantially increase the bed stock, is linked with further measures to support the industry including cutting water and electricity tariffs and bureaucracy.

This is also a measure by which hotels can upgrade. It aims to increase beds in touristic areas without having them spread out even more.

New policy to give Malta an edge 

The new policy recently approved by Mepa board can now start being utilized to give Malta’s tourism industry an edge in a highly competitive and volatile international tourism market.

MEPA Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar said “we proposed this policy after becoming aware that certain subsidiary planning policies were restricting the amelioration and development of the Maltese tourism product, especially in light of the current economic challenges and the highly competitive international tourism market.” Perit Cassar added “Planning policies, while fully respecting the statutory environmental and health thresholds, should be there to anticipate and accommodate the changing socio economic climate.”  

The policy stipulates that while it encourages the relaxation of the height limitation, the ‘volume’ (total area occupied by the hotel) however should remain the same even if this would mean shifting towards a higher building rather than occupying a larger area.

The policy document is available online and can be accessed from the Supplementary Planning Guidance section within the Authority’s website http://www.mepa.org.mt.

Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar has always been supportive of initiatives that promote tourism and job creation. However, it is concerned on the policy’s inclusion of places like Marsaxlokk and Gozo which are not yet ruined by commercialisation, said FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella, when contacted.

FAA’s issue is that the building of hotels taller than their surroundings would undermine the very appeal of these areas.

It calls again for the focus of Malta’s touristic policy to be on cultural, rather than mass tourism, promoting boutique hotels and quality tourism.