I have just read the news report (TMID, 18 April) concerning the reflections of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) on last weekend’s situation in restaurants and bars.

I think it really is time that the GRTU, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and all NGOs started to look at the real reason why clients are no longer frequenting their establishments. It is not for want of disposable income (I believe that statistics will show we can afford to live comfortable, if not luxurious, lifestyles today) but it is more a question of value for money.

Consumers today are more aware about what is and what is not acceptable. A few years ago one may have been hoodwinked into believing what was offered at some of our food and beverage outlets could be passed off as good quality. Today, the same outlets are penalised for not being innovative and using their initiative. It is almost as if this country has lost its own indigenous and unique cuisine in favour of such borrowed products as pizzas, pasta, kebabs and burgers (and even these are limited and not quite the real McCoy!).

If the entrepreneurs want to improve their sales then they will have to work a lot harder at presenting decent and quality value products rather than the inferior, recycled mixture that passes for some dish or other! If you really want to see what diversity can do to product innovation, I would suggest that you take a short walk along the new Valletta Waterfront Project and look into the shops – see the variety and innovation there is, study the prices and then adapt these concepts in your own businesses. Malta and Gozo need to shake off the stigma for sun and sea holidays (real bucket and spade destinations!) and focus on that tourism niche which gives it the uniqueness that has enchanted thousands of visitors over the centuries.

If we do not study this situation with this open and fresh mind, then, I am afraid the restaurant owner and the barman can only expect fewer and fewer customers to partake of their extinct and recycled product and non existent service.

Julian Zarb

Tourism Journalist, ETn

Iklin, Malta