The Tourism Ministry pointed out yesterday that three hotels had closed down this year, bringing the bed stock down by 913, but seven others had opened, adding 1,710 beds. And for 2008, 2009 and subsequently, 36 tourism establishments are planned at a cost of about Lm73 million, which will add another 5,271 beds.

The ministry was replying to a statement by Labour MP Evarist Bartolo who said some 10,000 tourists had not managed to find a hotel to book and Malta had as a result lost custom.

The Opposition, the ministry said, criticised even successes.