The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) said in a statement that Valletta is becoming too loud, and that it is not fitting as a high-end destination, referring to comments made by Valletta Mayor Alfred Zammit recently.

During an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Zammit had said that the issue regarding late night music in Valletta was under control, and that residents were misguided on the government’s legal notice which dictates that no loud music is to be played by any establishment in Valletta after 11pm.

“Whereas MHRA supports the concept of having commercial activity in Valletta, the way it is currently being carried out is causing a lot of damage to the tourism activity residing in Valletta due to loud noise being allowed till the early hours of night,” the MHRA said.

The association said that the style of entertainment being currently promoted under Zammit’s watch, “contradicts efforts in positioning Valletta as a high-end destination, as agreed to by all tourism stakeholders through the National Tourism policy.”

It said that the current entertainment is deteriorating the quality image of Valletta as a unique destination in Malta, as well as having created excessive noise pollution and complaints from guests staying at Valletta hotels.

The MHRA appealed for government to suspend and re-evaluate the legal notice (LN 161 & 163) in a manner which promotes entertainment with conditions fitting for a high-end destination.

“In the interim, MHRA appeals for a holistic plan for Valletta that satisfies the requirements of the residents and the entire business community,” the association said.