A private website www.stpaulsbaymalta.com has been launched enabling tourists intending to visit Malta to see the locality beforehand on the internet. It carries a business directory of establishments in St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, Burmarrad, Qawra and Xemxija, including hotels, restaurants, shops, services and places of entertainment.

Edwin Vassallo, parliamentary secretary for small businesses and the self employed, said some 4,500 persons worked in St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba in some 1,600 businesses. Between them they created some Lm21,393,780 of value added and the challenge to the government and commercial community was to raise that value added, and add to the commercial activities.

The website was launched by MPDS Co. Ltd.

Mr Vassallo said many tourists were today choosing to book their hotel over the internet. Businesses in the area needed to have more promotion, especially on the internet and the new website should help, he added.