To wear two hats is defined as a person who has more than one set of responsibilities or to hold more than one position, and for Malta Tourism Authority chairman Gavin Gulia, this certainly seems the case.

This newspaper sent questions to the new minister responsible for tourism, Edward Zammit Lewis, who jumped to Dr Gulia’s defence after the latter hit out at rock legend Brian May, who said that spring hunting should be stopped.

The Tourism Minister told this newspaper that Dr Gulia spoke in his personal capacity and not as MTA chairman. But he did say however that Dr Gulia's comments were uncalled for and the subsequent controversy should have been avoided.

The issue flared up on Sunday, a day after Queen’s guitarist Brian May gave a stunning performance and made the out-of-the-blue statement, at St George’s Square in Valletta.

Dr Gulia, who holds an important position at the MTA - the regulator of the industry – hit out at May for his stand that spring hunting should come to an end, when it is no secret that hunting can affect tourism.

Writing on his Facebook page, Dr Gulia said that although he is no hunter and has never lifted a shotgun, he respected the rights of minorities, including hunters and trappers.

“Brian May came here to sing (sic) and not to make an appeal against hunting. I think he made a mistake and allowed himself to be influenced by others,” Dr Gulia wrote.