Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the 50c per night tourist eco-tax, which was announced in the last budget, will come into effect in April, and is expected to generate roughly €6 million a year.

Speaking in Parliament this evening, he added that the tax will be capped at €5. Minister Zammit Lewis said that the funds will be used for a new public private partnership scheme, which will include the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) and the government.

It was explained that the government will reimburse the fund which it uses to refurbish and maintain public spaces in tourist areas.

Reform was announced in the area of tourism-related legislation. Minister Zammit Lewis said that in this regard a public consultation process will soon be launched.

Reducing bureaucracy, cracking down on non-licensed accommodation and turning the Malta Tourism Authority into an entity which addresses a wide range of issues is what the scope behind the reform is, he said.

Figures were cited which were published by the National Statistics Office yesterday evening, where it was found that tourist arrivals are growing strongly and that there have been increases in all sectors.