I refer to the letter by Glorianne Mizzi of the Malta Union of Tourist Guides (May 29). Heritage Malta, as the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage, is entrusted with museums' management, operation and maintenance. Essentially Heritage Malta is the operator of no less than 23 museums and sites which are regularly open to the public besides fostering over 15 sites from which no income at all is derived.

Following a review of our entrance fees, which had not been changed since 2003, we brought these to realistic levels without losing sight of the role that museums play in our society.

Our rate structure was therefore revised bearing in mind the needs of all sectors of Maltese society. An example illustrating how sensitive Heritage Malta is to such needs are the school parties which are hosted at our museums and sites free of charge annually. Such visits cover no less than circa 40,000 students. Moreover, free open days are held throughout the year covering a number of museums e.g. Notte Bianca, Notte Gozitana and other similar events which attract no less than 25,000 visitors annually besides the thousands of visitors who avail themselves of free open days that are held periodically. For a modest annual €35 an adult can become a member enjoying unlimited access to over 20 museums and sites. This works out at under €2 per museum. Currently an offer is in place which allows a senior citizen to become a member for as little as €15.

With regard to tourism, here again Heritage Malta is well aware of the sensitivity of this sector and kept this well in mind when reviewing entrance fees. Essentially all that was done was the tidying up of fees e.g. the Palace Armoury the and Palace State Rooms were previously €4.66 each i.e. a total of €9.32. These sites will now have a single ticket priced at €10. In the case of The Palace Armoury the use of an audio guide is also included in the price.

Apart from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, no ticket cost exceeds €10 and in the main this would include more than one site. For example in the case of Gozo an €8 ticket allows entry to four sites: Museum of Archaeology; Old Prisons; Folklore Museum; Gozo Nature Museum, whereas formerly the entrance fee stood at €2.33 per museum.

As for opening hours, since its inception Heritage Malta has extended its opening hours over seven days a week bringing these in line with those of major European cities, some of which even close one day a week.

Heritage Malta's revised entrance fees have remained at modest levels while comparing well with those of major European museums. Random comparisons with overseas museums and sites may be misleading as one must not overlook the specific demographics which differ radically from city to city and country to country. For example, the numbers that visit Stonehenge are far higher than those, say, of Ħagar Qim yet both are equally expensive to manage and to preserve.

In the light of the above it can therefore be safely said that our rates take into full consideration the sensitivity of the tourist market while also remaining well aware of our obligations to the Maltese public.