The HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund has launched the implementation of the Malta Hotel-Heritage Scheme.

The scheme, initially in collaboration with the InterContinental Malta, Corinthia Hotels, Radisson SAS Hotels, Hilton Malta and the Xara Palace Hotel, encourages guests to make a small voluntary contribution on their bill for every night stayed in Malta, which will help Heritage Malta to manage and maintain a number of leading heritage sites.

Each participating hotel will be associated with a particular site. The sites selected are Hagar Qim temples, where the launch of the scheme took place, Mnajdra temples, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, St Paul’s Catacombs and Vilhena Palace. Guests will find information on the scheme and the sites being supported in the participating hotels and will have the 1 euro per room night added to their bill. Guests who do not wish to make a contribution can opt out simply by informing the reception desk of their respective hotel.

“Last October when we launched the HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund, we had put forward the proposal of a hotel-heritage sponsorship scheme. Our idea was to team up with Malta’s hotels and encourage visitors to these islands to make a small contribution towards the upkeep of some of Malta’s fantastic heritage sites,” said HSBC CEO Shaun Wallis.

All the guests who agree to contribute to the scheme will receive a token bookmark featuring the site which the hotel they stayed in is supporting. The funds collected will be administered by Heritage Malta to help in the restoration and preservation of these Heritage sites.

“The launch of the Hotel-Heritage Scheme is great news not only for the five sites earmarked specifically but for all the heritage sites which we manage,” said Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone.

“This new source of funding will hopefully free up some of our scarce resources which we can then dedicate to other sites which until now may not have been given all the attention they deserve. Furthermore, the fact that thanks to HSBC, information on Heritage Malta and the sites we manage will be available in the participating hotels, should also help increase visitor numbers,” continued Dr Tabone.

“The Hotel-Heritage Scheme is the first of its kind in Malta. Setting up and running such a scheme requires a lot of administrative work, and the full co-operation of all those who agree to participate. HSBC’s commitment to Malta’s heritage is well documented and I congratulate them, and the hotels, on seeing this idea through. It is only through all the stakeholders pulling together in the same direction that we can ensure Malta’s heritage is protected and at the same time that our vital tourism industry continues to develop and strengthen,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.