The Hilton hotel will be closing for a few months next year in order to refurbish 300 rooms, it was announced this morning.

The refurbishments will begin in February and will be completed in April 2016.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis welcomed this investment, saying the optimism of private stakeholders bodes well for the tourism industry.

The Hilton hotel employs 450 full-time employees and will continue to meet the highest expectations and standards, he said.

Maintaining occupancy levels and selling at more profitable prices is key for the hotel industry, he said.

The Tourism Minister drove home the point that the government has kept its commitment and the tourism sector is benefitting from the reduction in energy tariffs.

Dr Zammit Lewis said tourism is one of Malta’s best success stories, yet it is a volatile industry.

Ensuring that Malta offers a quality product which is successfully marketed is pivotal to the long-term success of the industry, he said.

The industry is benefiting from savings of €50 million per year which can be directed towards new projects and investments.

The height limitation adjustment policy has proved to be a success, he said, and the government has to do its part in order to ensure the country’s overall image reflects value, particularly in public services and infrastructure.