I agree most strongly with the views on Malta's tourist industry expressed by Ray Davis of Norfolk (May 17). We are simply tourists, not clouded in vision by patriotism, but most appreciative of Malta, Stephen Farrugia writing from Germany (May 13) referred to Malta as a Mickey Mouse Disneyland and at first I thought he was being pejorative but on reflection I recall that Disneyland is highly organised and litter free with spotlessly clean and fragrant public toilets.

Winston V. Zahra (May 17) wrung his hands at the static tourist industry of Malta and urged the early introduction of low-cost airlines while admitting that one already existed in Malta itself run by Robby Borg.

I know as I have used it and it's good value for money providing you keep out of the way of the drunken Brits for, as Mr Borg claimed in an interview, the British only visit Malta to drink.

One can read the letters of disgruntled tourists in the local press and scan the internet reviews of Maltese hotels in such as Holidays Uncovered. A local tourist agent here in Barnsley (of all places!) said that Malta was "rather naff" and chanted the mantra that Malta is a place you love or hate. My travel agent friend recounted that cruel joke about a competition whose first prize was a week in Malta. The second prize was two weeks there.

Some such as Mr Davis and myself love Malta and visit it as often as we can. One occasionally sees letters from tourists who have found the Maltese delightful - and they are indeed. However, you would have to leave behind the delights of the general run of indifferent hotels and fight your way through the time-share touts across picturesque Qwara, Bugibba or Paceville. Do not venture too far from town however, for you might run into the hunters.

"I spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me."

Just like Topsy, no one actually started Malta's tourist industry for it just "grow'd" as British servicemen like myself fell in love with Malta and kept returning with family and friends but we are a dying breed nowadays and you might as well disband whatever your tourist authority is called today. Spend the money saved on tidying up the place and simply rely upon satisfied customers spreading the word back home just as we did all those years back. If you need more money then close that financial running sore of what used to be a dockyard in that unspeakable colonial period.

Gentle readers, familiar with Malta, are well aware of some negative aspects of the islands. Maybe the Maltese should hound their part-time politicians into activity but then again they say that a nation only gets the government it deserves.

Have you really been that wicked?