Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the opening of the Excelsior Grand Hotel in Floriana would mean an addition of 900 beds in the 5-star hotel category.

There are now 16 5-star hotels in Malta with around 7,400 beds, compared to eight hotels of the same category with around 2,900 beds in 1999.

Dr Zammit Dimech said there were 47 approved projects related to the construction of new hotels and expansion of already existing ones between 2007 and 2009. These projects, amounting to a total investment of Lm98 million, would increase the number of beds by 6,734. Among these projects there are seven five-star hotels, 19 four-star hotels, four three-star, one two-star hotel; 10 hostels; four guesthouses; one complex of farmhouses and another for a complex of villas.

Dr Zammit Dimech said August had brought 176,372 tourists to Malta, and it was one of the best months ever. In the first eight months of this year a total of 825,874 tourists visited Malta, which is an increase of 7.6 per cent over the same period last year. These tourists spent a total of Lm311.2 million (EUR724.9 million) between them which is an increase of Lm13.7 million (EUR31.8 million) over the same period last year.

A total of 303,232 tourists visited Malta on cruise liners in the first eight months of this year which is an increase of 24.2 per cent over the same period last year, Dr Zammit Dimech added.

The Excelsior hotel, with an investment of Lm25 million, has 426 deluxe rooms, executive rooms and suites over 10 floors. The hotel, which employs 200 people, also includes Royal and Presidential Suites which add to its prestige. It is already hosting guests even though it hasn’t been officially inaugurated yet.