Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela officially inaugurated the 4-star Innside by Meliá hotel in Buġibba, marking an investment of over EUR 10 million that adds to previous private and public projects in the area.

The hotel features 86 rooms and employs around 50 people. During the visit, Dr Abela emphasized the importance of quality in tourism, noting that the project was entirely driven and executed by a Maltese family, the Agius family, reflecting strong local and international investor confidence in St Paul's Bay.

He highlighted that the Government has also invested in Buġibba through the transformation of the main square, surrounding roads, and the promenade, which provides a completely renewed core for residents and visitors.

Furthermore, Abela pointed out that tourist arrivals between January and May reached nearly 1.7 million, with visitors contributing almost EUR 1.4 billion to Malta's economy during the first five months of the year.

He mentioned government initiatives to enhance infrastructure and mobility, such as the fast ferry service launched in May connecting Sliema, Buġibba, and Gozo, as well as strict enforcement measures and legislation introducing on-the-spot fines and potential deportation for serious public misconduct to ensure public order in high-concentration tourist areas.