Hunters 'should be lectured' on value of tourism

Reports about illegal hunting in Malta carried in the international media, particularly in the United Kingdom, continue to damage Malta's image as a tourist destination, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Justin Zammit Tabona said.

Action against persons found guilty of illegal hunting has therefore to be strong and unequivocal, he said in a statement.

Mr Zammit Tabona said it is preoccupying that the substantial investment in the hotel and restaurant industry and the 20,000 jobs it provides is at the mercy of a minority "who can only see gun barrels beyond their noses". Besides strengthening law enforcement and backing it up with harsh judgements such as in the case of the slaughter of swans, one needed to make this section of the public aware of the harm they cause themselves and their families through the thoughtless pursuit of their practice, he added.

Mr Zammit Tabona claimed that considering that the tourist industry was badly hit by illegal bird shooting, gun licence renewals should be made subject to the attendance of a structured lecture on the value of tourism and its susceptibility to damage from indiscriminate bird shooting.