In the article entitled Disappointing Easter period, MHRA says (TMID, 21 April) the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association is quoted as saying that restaurants had a disappointing Easter and the “drop in covers is mainly due to a drop in the spending power of the locals”.

Please note that my family of “locals” decided not to enjoy Easter lunch at a Maltese restaurant because we have been taken for a ride far too many times now. And even though our spending powers have increased, we decided to organise lunch at home. We certainly did not have a disappointing Easter. In fact, we enjoyed a very delicious lunch accompanied by excellent service.

For many years now, my parents have treated all the family at some different restaurant on occasions such as Easter, Mother’s Day, etc.

Each time, we are treated to very poor service. Every time there are overbookings and, if lucky, we manage to start lunch very close to tea-time.

Every time, the food is of very poor quality. And every time my parents are embarrassed and promise we will never go to that place again. But this has been happening in different restaurants for too many times. So this year, we decided to give it a miss. And I know many, many families and friends of mine who did the same for the very same reasons.

So, before we start moaning that tourists are not coming to Malta, before we start moaning that people do not have spending money, let us first start looking around and pointing our fingers where they should be pointed.

Giuzeppi Agius

San Gwann