The need to have more hotels and bed space coupled with retaining the unique character were the common issues brought up by all parties at a meeting held to discuss the regeneration of Marsascala yesterday.

The meeting was organised by the Marsascala Shop Owners Association and was held at the Park of Friendship. Association president Ruben Buttigieg said that the closure of the Jerma Palace Hotel had hit Marsascala hard. “The village needs both structural and private investment to get it back onto its feet. Unfortunately, with Marsascala there always seems to be a lot of talk and no action,” said Mr Buttigieg. He also stressed the need for a yacht marina in the bay.

“The authorities also need to look into creating more parking spaces and to better administrate the flow of traffic. Having said that, when one looks at most other resort areas in Europe, bays are almost always pedestrianised – that could be an idea to look into,” he said. Mr Buttigieg also pointed out that Marsascala should always be regarded as complementary to the development of SmartCity.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech also spoke during the meeting and said that the government wanted to hear everyone’s proposals for the rejuvenation of Marsascala. “However, I must also say – and I understand why – that it is sometimes very difficult to reach a common position when listening to the needs of various parties, such as the local council, restaurants and bars,” said Dr Zammit Dimech.

He said that the government would be making the most of European Union funds in order to implement new projects in the area. “We already have plans. For example, we are going to build a new road to reduce the number of cars that pass from in front of the parish church,” he said. In addition, plans have already been drawn up to build new local council premises and to upgrade the bypass leading to the village.

“We need to retain Marsascala’s unique character, but we do need more beds for tourists. We only know of one 50-bed boutique guesthouse that is in the pipeline,” he said. He did, however, applaud a Lm1.2 million investment in farmhouse accommodation in Zabbar, saying that more such initiatives were needed to add to the areas surrounding Marsascala.

Opposition tourism spokesman Evarist Bartolo said that Marsascala had its own unique character which needed to be preserved. “We are certainly not suggesting another Bugibba, but that project should be used as a work model,” he said. He said that the region needed a three to five year strategic plan. “We must also insist that the taxes which are paid by Marsascala residents are put back into the area,” he said.

Mayor Mario Calleja also spoke but made a contradiction in terms by saying that the area needed to retain its unique image – then went on to mention that his own endeavours have led to the imminent placing of a Chinese monument in the area.

The association also presented a document to those in attendance where it proposed some concrete measures – including the setting up of a committee to address and co-ordinate all measures undertaken in Marsascala.