May I congratulate you for publishing such an excellent article by Daphne Caruana Galizia (TMIS, 16 July).

It was refreshing to read an objective piece of journalism, as it is somewhat rare back in the UK.

Daphne makes some valid points in her article and, while it is easy to “generalise”, I do agree that the locals need a strong tourist industry.

However Malta’s strongest asset is her “people”. They are by far the most friendly and genuinely friendly people I’ve ever met. I have travelled extensively from the west to Vladivostok in the east.

I have been visiting the island for the last 25 years and while there have been obvious changes, the “people’s” friendly nature remains constant.

Finally, while the article raises some pertinent issues, I have witnessed once again at first hand in the Café Tigne area a gentleman who typifies the spirit of the Maltese. Anyway aren’t parking attendants the world over, the same?

Philip Mayne

England