Since 1979 I have holidayed in Malta for up to nine weeks a year and have just returned from my second three-week visit this year.

I park myself in the same bedroom in the same four-star hotel a few metres off Tower Road in Sliema, but was disgusted with the students who took over the hotel and area, which are normally quiet and respectable.

They rampaged, sometimes half naked, along corridors, banging on doors, shouting, misbehaving and causing annoyance to everyone inside and outside the hotel until the early hours - my first nine days were sleepless.

I read in The Times that there were close to 60,000 student arrivals, producing an income of Lm30 million and keeping 1,500 people in work. It may increase tourism figures, bed occupancy and fill Air Malta planes, but visitors are already declining due to increased prices, lower restaurant standards, litter, pollution, rude and invasive timeshare touts, etc. Many Maltese friends are ashamed of these facts.

It is well-known that you either love or hate Malta and that there is no in between - I love Malta; the Maltese people that is. They are the only reason I keep on returning but many more visitors will fail to return and will give Malta a bad name.

Thank you Maltese Islands for the love and friendship you have shown me for 26 years. I hope I may be inspired to continue my love affair with you.

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