Last summer, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi promised the introduction of ‘Town Managers’ who would be exclusively in charge of managing tourist areas. Nearly a year down the road, however, and with summer just around the corner, no news of such managers has been announced.

At the time, Mizzi had explained that the government would be introducing town managers who would have primary responsibility for the upkeep of various popular tourist areas in Malta and Gozo.

However, sources from the Malta Tourism Authority have told this newspaper that since last summer’s press conference, at which Mizzi announced the scheme, no initiatives or plans have taken place to set up such roles.

Mizzi had said that Paceville would be the first area to have a designated town manager were town managers who would be responsible for the disposal of litter and noise pollution and also for enforcing regulations in adult clubs. He had explained that local councils would not have their budgets changed and that the town manager initiative would be financed by the MTA.

This newsroom has contacted the Tourism Ministry regarding the implementation of this scheme – most recently two weeks ago. The Ministry has not replied.

Along with the announcement, Environment Minister Jose Herrera had also spoken at the press conference last summer about prospective collaboration with the Tourism Ministry on issues such as pollution, litter and noise.