Christmas in Malta

I want to encourage the Malta Tourism Authority to start promoting Christmas holidays in Malta. I had never spent this time of year in Malta and I sure am glad I did.

But, I was very fortunate in having spent it with English friends who are now living in Malta and who know where to get information about everything. Malta seemed to be very self-obsessed over Christmas.

It seemed as if they did not want to share the season of goodwill with the tourists. They were very protective of telling you what was going on, most especially at the Tourism Information Office.

I rang to ask whether they had a list of cribs which were on show and the terse answer was: Look in the local papers - which was no good because the papers did not give any details either.

My friends knew where to send me or take me and I had a wonderful time and marvellous experiences. I could not get over the illuminations in the villages for example. Some had better lights than for their festa. I appreciated the homes with the beautiful decorations, so tastefully and lovingly put up. I was back in my childhood days, everything was so pretty and so delightful. Baby Jesus was there rubbing shoulders with the fairies and Father Christmas looked like one of the Wise Men.

Tourists appreciate this. Here in England most towns and cities are doing away with public lights in the centres in order not to offend people of other beliefs. So, whoever is in charge, please build on this but be more generous with your information.

Although I agree with 75 per cent of what John N. Lockett wrote (The Disappearing Edge, January 5), I cannot agree with him that Malta seems to attract the lowest end of the socio economic group of holiday makers who spend most of their time in an alcoholic haze. Malta does attract the better kind of tourist who appreciates the history, the architecture and the intelligent attractions but if the infrastructure is left to go to wreck and ruin the island might lose all this as its fans get older and die.

The last thing I want to point out is the classification of hotels. Most of the five-star hotels are better than or as good as I've experienced in London or the US, but where are the four-star rated ones?

Plenty of the hotels declare four stars on their entrances and their brochures but they do not come up to even three-star ratings. A completely ruthless and precise revision is needed.

Malta is competing with the new tourist attractions sprouting all over Europe and the Mediterranean and the competition is very hard. Make things happen quick, like the Waterfront and some of the roads. Vast improvements are needed all over the island.

We are still at the beginning of 2006 - still in time to make resolutions. Those in charge of tourism need to make this year the big year of achievement, not for individuals but for Malta and the Maltese as a whole.