Bugibba-Qawra improvements 'barely scratch the surface' - MHRA

Perit Censu Galea, M.P.

Oct 13th 2009, 16:57

It is a pity that the photo accompanying the article above is that of street that was supposed to be dug up and rebuilt before summer. In fact the photo shows part of a street which was supposed to be rebuilt by June. This brought about the negative reaction by MHRA which objected to the work being done then.The result was that the street remained as it was for an extra four months, and now work will only start in a few weeks time.

Naturally, the photographer did not know about this fact but people at MHRA know fully well that this is the case.

Once more I appeal to MHRA to come forward and help out to keep the place in a better shape than it is now, especially by ensuring that its members do not leave their rubbish wherever they deem fit, and at whatever time they decide to close their outlets.

Keeping the place in good shape depends on a number of factors, and MHRA operators are not immune to contributing their share.

Perit Graziella Galea, Sindku, San Pawl il-Bahar

Oct 13th 2009, 16:54

It is indeed a pity that, whilst the local council continuously strives to keep the area as clean as possible, irresponsible people simply dump their rubbish wherever they feel like and at whatever time they want. I have to say that some of these irresponsible people belong to the commercial sector who instead of keeping the place clean dirty it even more. Hotels and restaurants should have their own private trash collector, but unfortunately, most of them do not!

The Local Council will continue its work in the locality for the benefit of residents, tourists, visitors and all those who have a commercial establishment in the area. A number of schemes issued from the Central Government, under the Parliamentary Secretary for Dialogue and Public Information, have been applied for from the St. Paul's Bay local council. Proudly enough, we have managed to be successful in most of those schemes, benefitting from over 100,000 euros from such schemes.

Perit Graziella Galea, Sindku, San Pawl il-Bahar

Oct 13th 2009, 16:54

It is, for sure, not a pleasure for me that commercial establishments in the area are closing. However, I do not think that the closing down should be blamed on the local council. The utmost, with our limited budget and resources, is being continuously done to upkeep the area. The summer months, with the considerable increase in residents and visitors is in fact a challenging period for the local council.

Just before the summer months, the Local Council together with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, and the Malta Tourism Authority, has carried out works amounting to more than 500,000 euros only in Bugibba and Qawra.

The local council has also placed several pots and decorative lighting along the promenade. Along the same promenade, BugibbaFest was organised for the first time this year, proving to be a very successful weekend for the establishments in the area and for the residents. Apart from this a number of projects are planned in the area, the major ones being along the promenade of St.Paul's Bay and in the Fra Ben Area.

Raymond Portelli

Oct 12th 2009, 20:00

@Charles Micallef No my friend, it does not. Are we all not suffering from the total neglect of our entire country? I live in St.Paul's Bay and am disheartened by the state of our area, but it is a small part of a huge problem. Mr.Penny's discontent is lost in the thunderous outcry of thousands who have suffered worse treatment whilst holidaying in Malta. I do not rely on tourism for my income and have very little sympathy for those that do. You don't know what you've got till its gone-You made your bed now lie in it-You can't have your cake and eat it too... All suitable for the situation the tourism sector finds itself in. It was always going to happen, wasn't it? Try an experiment which is a good representation of the current situation; Set up a stall at the market and sell feces for the current market price of gold. The same number of buyers you get, will be the same number of tourists visiting Malta in 10 years. Who in their right mind would come here, when for the same price they can travel to...anywhere!

C Galea

Oct 12th 2009, 17:49

Scruffy and dirty island indeed. Politics apart, I believe this issue is one big misdemenour this goverment has failed to overcome. Malta is as dirty as ever, especially in some places. It is a real pity such a pretty island is ruined because of carlessness, bad roads and plastic bottles galore. A visit to Sliema Strand is enough to make you wonder.

Matthew Penny

Oct 12th 2009, 16:58

After spending the last 2 weeks in the Bugibba-Qawra area I'm afraid I have to agree.

The whole area looks shabby at best, and seems to have gone downhill in the 5 years I've been a visitor.

We stayed in The Topaz this year - certainly not a 4 star establishment! - but spent most of our time in St Julians and Sliema as it's just a lot nicer and cleaner.

A word on people's attitude as well this year, why have some Maltese become so rude? I appreciate we're tourists and get in the way of your everyday lives, but maybe perhaps if you were a bit nicer, and not trying to rip us off - mobile fruit stalls, kiosks at the bus station, wine bar on Bugibba Promenade to name a few - you may end up getting more people coming back year on year.

However on the whole, we had a great time and can't wait to come back next year. Just don't let the standards slip as Bugibba-Qawra does'nt give a great impression to first time visitors to Malta.

Isobel Mcgonigle

Oct 12th 2009, 16:51

Malta can no longer compete with other European holiday destinations.
Your once beautiful,Island seems to get more dirty scruffy every day,with tall cranes,building works,smothering the landscape,it just seems to be falling into a state of neglect,and the big worry,no one seems to care,or do anything to remedy the situation.
There are lots of reasons,why tourists say they will never return to Malta,and with the Maltese attitude,if you dont like it then feel free to go somewhere else,believe you me,the tourists are taking your advise ,the final nails are being driven into the coffin,Soon your main source of income,your tourist industry,will be well and truly dead and burried

Charles Micallef

Oct 12th 2009, 16:50

@Raymond Portelli

Does your statement apply to local the Residents who are suffering from the total neglect of the area ....?

I. Gatt

Oct 12th 2009, 16:36

As must the government Hotel and Restaurant owners should do their bit also. Why is it that since the utility rates and the price of gas have been increased some restaurants have upped their prices by a phenomenal 30%. regrettably costs have and will always be levied onto the consumer, no matter what.

This is untenable, as the more prices are increased the lesser the patrons. Incentives are required NOW and not after the 2010 budget is tabled, removal of VAT on food and beverage would for instance be considered a plus point and might actually safeguard the employment of many in the catering industry. Let's act now before it is indeed too late.......

Raymond Portelli

Oct 12th 2009, 16:06

Can't understand what all the fuss is about.

Does the MHRA expect us to subsidize the hoteliers indefinitely? There are too many hotels which offer a poor product, rubbish service and all at extortionate prices - well the gravy train is over and you'll receive no sympathy from me.

Close your failing businesses and let viable alternatives open up in their place - that is simple economics - stop wasting my hard earned money on people who are not prepared to do the same!

Albert Buttigieg

Oct 12th 2009, 16:02

Very soon you shall be inundated with tourists, clamouring to see the Renzo Piano project, so your worries will be over. Why would tourists want to enjoy our fortifications, when these same tourists can admire a building on stilts? Mind you, for security reasons, they might not be allowed anywhere near, but as there will not be a gate to obstruct their view, they might be able to catch a glimpse through the fumes of buses driving by...