Restaurateurs urged to follow tourism trends
Major conference to be held in Malta in August
Restaurateurs were this morning urged to heed the changing trends of tourism and adjust their product and services accordingly.
Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, speaking at a conference hosted by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, pointed out that Italy was now Malta's second tourism source market and Germany was the third. The expectations of the Italians and the Germans were different from the British, towards whom most restaurants were tailored, he said.
Indeed, tourists from different countries even tended to have their lunch and dinner at different times.
Dr de Marco said that by and large, the quality of restaurants had improved, but it had been noted from surveys, that tourists' satisfaction was higher in the winter than the summer, leading one to suspect that quality of service was deteriorating as patrons increased.
Many restaurants had invested heavily in their dining halls, Dr de Marco said, but was such growth always being matched in investment on service and in the kitchen? Was it acceptable that patrons waited more than 30 minutes for service?
He said that restaurateurs needed to keep their menus updated, and they also needed to offer more Maltese dishes. One could get Italian food all over the world, but Maltese food only in Malta.
Replying to a comment, Dr de Marco also insisted that prices should be competitive. Eating out was far cheaper in Malta than in a London restaurant, he said, but the difference in cost between Italy and Malta was narrowing. He agreed, however, that local restaurateurs had a problem in that turnover of patrons was lower.
MAJOR CONFERENCE IN AUGUST
Dr de Marco expressed cautious optimism about the outlook for tourism this year. He said that a major conference of 5,000 people was expected to be held in Malta in August. Another conference, of 1,000 delegates, would be held in March.
The drop in conference and incentive travel last year had been one of the major contributing factors for the drop in tourist arrivals.
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Joe Xuereb
Feb 10th 2010, 00:11
2) And stop wasting time and energy chasing matters that hold Malta back.
And learn to smile, broadly and spontaneously. With confidence. Talk freely and engage yourself. You will get returns (and I am not thinking of 'bakxiex' - tips - necessarily. And enjoy yourself, enjoying your job. None of which cost any money. Just a little effort . Relax and enjoy. It's infectious believe me. In many countries, waiting at tables is a highly respected professional job, an art form. I have served people all my life and I still engage. It becomes first nature to be friendly. I only get unstuck - happened two days ago at the supermarket - when I tried to attract the attention of a check-out person. She evaded eye contact because she was on her mobile. I expressed my disapproval and she went off in a huff, refusing to serve me. A line manager came along and accused me of holding up the queue. So?! I was threatened with Security and that I might be barred from Tesco. Maybe this is why service gets worse and worse. The young especially refusing to admit they're wrong. That's when I walk the walk. Lesson there!
Joe Xuereb
Feb 9th 2010, 23:56
1) Thank you Mark Mangion. I had missed that one.
We were once a British colony. In most ways we still are. Look around you. Language. Menus. Names - people's and establishments' (e.g. in Strait Street, did the Navy ever leave?). And remember, one may stoop and (still) pick up nothing. We are killing ourselves and all we could stand for. Is it any wonder that the Brits are our strongest market? Ah! but the Danes and the Germans, they speak English so they like it too. Bully for them. What about the discerning traveller/tourists whose pleasure at being abroad is feeling, and seeing, and hearing 'abroad'. Personally, I feel no greater thrill than landing in a country where the script is not even Latin. Sheer exhiliration. Of course this would strike terror in the hearts of many. But not all. Not by any means. In Malta, make the h with a line through it, the c and the g and the z with a dot over them, make them compulsory even when they wouldn't normally occur (stranger things have happened to our language). Tourists worth the money they leave behind - they just love these quaint touches.
cont./
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 9th 2010, 21:56
As a Maltese visting other places in Europe and beyond, should I expect to be served "Ftira" or "Gbejna tal Bzar" at my own time ? Money rules, and after that, there are other elements which dictate too. I'll ask the Massai Mara or the Zulu people next time I go there.
By the way, I have managed to buy "Kinnie" in Germany !!! I have never found it anywhere else !!
Vince DeBono
Feb 9th 2010, 19:35
IMPORTANT: The comparison of prices in restaurants has to be like with like. Apart from the ODD exception or special offer, UK (not only London) , Italy etc are more expensive. Very expensive when you compare good restaurants there with here. Good fresh fish in Cyprus - another Mediterranean island - will cost more than the equivalent in Marsaxlokk as many Cypriots told me last summer.
What makes Maltese cuisine? NAME of restaurant in the vernacular !!!!!! No. I'd say local recipes (NOT SALMON! ) , served in a Maltese ambience - by Maltese staff.
Anthony Farrugia
Feb 9th 2010, 19:19
Why, oh why, are the wine prices in local restaurants astronomic to say the least. When prices were liberalised some years ago , the variety and prices on supermarket/shop shelves enabled many to start having wine with their meals at home. Not so for restaurant wine prices; granted they are not going to sell a bottle of wine at supermarket prices but for the bottle to be priced at 5/6/7 times the supermarket price is too much and counterproductive as less people opt for wine. I myself order a pint or two of excellent local beer with restaurant meals to the chagrin of the socalled amateur playing the part of the sommelier. My wine I enjoy in the comfort of my home.
Restaurateurs (give and take a few) are in the get-rich-quick category employing inexperienced untrained part-timers which result in slow and absymal service in some establishment.
And the MHRA goes on pleading for hand-outs from the Government instead of telling its members to put their house in order!
D. Borg
Feb 9th 2010, 18:34
Jesmond Micallef> yes quite right i am with u on this issue :Look after what is Maltese and make sure remains Maltese! This is one main reason why we NEVER make use or visit any foreign restaurant especially in Gozo bar a Maltese owned and run establishment. Why pump our euro in a foreign run restaurant when we can help our Maltese brethrens in earning their living. I want to see 100% owned and run restaurnats by our citizens. End of Story - as a Maltese national its my perogative whom i prefer.
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 9th 2010, 17:59
Indeed Maltese Restuarants !! With all due respect to Dr. Mario de Marco here, but I would like to aire my own too :
Look after what is Maltese and make sure it remains Maltese, if you are truely Maltese in the first place. Indeed (ref : Mark Mangion) Italian names to restuarants, pasta, pizza etc etc etc...............
With my sincere best wishes to all the Maltese catering industry.
J Oatmon
Feb 9th 2010, 17:19
The difference in the price of a meal is not really significant in my opinion. Someone going on holiday does not say to themselves "food is cheaper in Italy lets go there." They decide where to go and eat what is available to suit their budget.
More important is cleanliness, good service with a smile and interesting places to go, and in my opinion Malta is charming but has a scruffy look, because many houses/buildings are rarely painted painted, and streets are not kept clean enough.
Malta should adopt a voluntary plan clean up Malta for a few days before the national/independence day.
Everyone pitches in, school kids go out from school to help the clean up, as well as the public, divers at sea, etc., to help sweep, clean, pick up rubbish, weed, paint or whatever is needed (this is what is done in Indonesia), then everyone is proud of their nice clean country on national/independence day.
John M. Grima
Feb 9th 2010, 17:14
BRAVO Sur de Marco. By all means follow tourism trends. BUT. Keep the cousine in Maltese restaurants Maltese! Do bring back the real MALTESE bread, loved by so many, many people, and get rid of the WHITE, SLICES STYRAPHOME, (White slliced Western type bread). Prices? I said it before and I'll say it again. Remember the majority of tourists are on a budget. Waiting? I personally I don't mind waiting if the food is worth waiting for. It beats fast foods, and hamburger joints, (which caters to parents and students who obviaously cannot afford good food.) Also, more buffets please. BUT. KEEP IT MALTESE.
Bon Apetite.
Mark Mangion
Feb 9th 2010, 16:44
And what about the names of the "Maltese restaurants"?
In St Julians (just to mention one particular locality) many restaurants have an Italian name. Why not using a Maltese name? Many restaurants in Europe are named in the language of their respective country.
Yes, Dr de Marco: more Maltese food and Maltese names.
R.Zammit
Feb 9th 2010, 16:28
"Eating out was far cheaper in Malta than in a London restaurant, he said"
I don't think so Dr De Marco. I am not refering to the £5 "All you can eat" buffets off Leicester Square. In London one will find high street and off-centre restaurants with a range of prices, ranging from much cheaper to Maltese prices to much higher. In London (central and elsewhere), you can have great meals at much cheaper prices than in Malta. What also needs remarking is that invariably, the service is so much better too.
In fact, I find that visitors' main complaints concern hotels and restaurants (besides roads and general delapidation), and this is what is driving tourists away and costing us return visitors.
Instead of tackling the bad name we are getting, we are resorting to spending millions of Euros annually (by paying low-cost companies for example) to make up what our loss of custom due to bad and expensive service.
Perhaps this 'bezbiza' by Dr Demarco is the first in the government's efforts for MHRA's members to do some soul searching and finally offer better service and above all, reasonable prices.
S. Debono
Feb 9th 2010, 15:39
It's so easy to say that restaurants are becoming too expensive in Malta. Do you think the government gives discounts on Gas, electricity, water or any other services to restaurants or hotels?? I am very sure restaurant owners do not like to put the prices up yearly but if suppliers prices go up and the government doubles the prices in Gas and electricity i guess it leaves no option!! I travel to UK around 5 times a year, restaurants are as expensive but they also give good deals and offers in many restaurants. Italy is known for good food but unless recommended by Italians you can easily get ripped off with prices! Tourism is at it's very lowest this year and like myself who works in tourism is hoping it will get better because at this stage restaurants and hotels have not only lost business through loss of tourism but also through loss of local clients!!
Joe Xuereb
Feb 9th 2010, 14:39
2) As a seasoned traveller, I travel to places which offer me an uplift, an experience to bring back home. There are countries where the tourist is NOT catered for gastronomically - unless one thinks of some untouchable resorts in Turkey, my 'spiritual' home, and Brighton, where it is largely chips with everything. No, the discerning traveller, wisely, does not venture there. He travels alone, much more expensively, finally paying over the odds for simpler accommodation than offered by the package-dealers, hugely upgraded bedding accommodation which comes at a price. One I am not prepared to pay. What am I, a sheep? No, he travels inland, risking all, learning the language, away from the odious package holiday which delivers only 'chips with everything'. Away from the hordes, arranging, and enjoying, his own itineraries, free as a bird, like any half self-respecting 'holiday-maker' should be. Any petty worries are taken care of by travel insurance. So what's the problem? So, having taken to the hills and the wonders, one enjoys the experience to bring back home. The food is good if simple, chips if required. The local music is fantastic. The hospitality amazing. And the service everywhere is hardly indifferent.
Joseph Attard
Feb 9th 2010, 14:23
It is cheaper eating out in Italy. Not only cheaper but you get better value for money. I'm quoting prices from restaurants in cities and not in some small town in the middle of nowhere.
I currently work in Italy, and I got to know a lot of italians who visited Malta, some more than once. They all say that whilst we have a very beautiful country, food quality is lacking.
Joseph
joseph N Attard
Feb 9th 2010, 14:19
Hon. De Marco hit the nail on the head. How many times do we have to endure an inordinate wait for service, even in so-called good restaurants? Why do we have to pointedly ask for our wine to be opened at table, as otherwise God knows what one is served in an open bottle? Why do the majority of waiters have no idea of how to approach a customer, not too familiarly, but with a pleasant demeanour? And how many of these waiters (and owners!) have had proper training? Prices? They may be lower than London's, but far higher than comparable restaurants in other European cities. Maltese now travel widely, and know how to compare. And what about wine prices? Since the liberalization of wine imports, one can buy very decent table wines, especially New World wines, for three or four Euro. Why then do the majority of restaurants charge sixteen, twenty Euro for these same wines? The Parliamentary Secretary is understandably more concerned about tourists. But restauranteurs would do well to remember that their main clientele is local. Those that improve their service and value for money soon find out that they have made a wise and profitable decision.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 9th 2010, 14:10
1) I am not, of course, a doctor of anything, but a social observer, one who operates at street level, with a discerning eye, and a seasoned traveller (as opposed to mere 'follow-the-flock' tourist) - that I am big time.
My response to this piece is a) acknowledge the fewer tourists visiting, identify the reasons, and rectify. b) offering a sop such as 'eating-in-Malta-is-much-cheaper-than-London' is risible. Really?! Why bring London into it as if the place is representative of our 'strongest' market? I have lived in London for fifty years and, being the gastronomic centre of the planet, it sure has the most expensive. But also the most fantastic deals. Not all my meals out have to be dished out by Gordon Blue after all. The problem is there are people in jobs they know nothing about.
cont./
R.Gauci
Feb 9th 2010, 13:51
Dr .De Marco should also urge his Goverment to do this not only the Restaurateurs!!
What about the shame state of the infrastructure the country its in Dr Demarco?
How much enforcement is being made against rip offs and other abuses when its clearly that
the police force is not even capable to see that the non smoking law in public places such as pubs and night clubs is not being observed( see an article on last Sunday Times)
About the prices in Restaurants the more you increase the running expenses such as Gas,Electricity and Water the more they will go up that's basic mathematics!!
R.Sciberras
Feb 9th 2010, 13:49
Certain restaurants need to improve their level of service especally where waiters are concerned. It's not acceptable that a patron is left waiting and has to draw the waiter's attention even to be given a menu. Furthermore, I feel that in our country, there has to be a change in the mentality of certain restaurant owners that start shutting down early during weekends.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Feb 9th 2010, 13:44
I thought that Minsiter DEmarco, a man who has my utmost respect, would be more knowledgable about other countries.
I have found restaurants with far cheaper prices than local ones in London, and for that matter, in a host of countries around the world.
I believe that Maltese restaurants are amongst the most expensive in the Med, and before we admit that, no amount of planning or trend setting will get tourists to choose Malta.
t farrugia
Feb 9th 2010, 13:38
local restaurants need to stop charging sky high prices. eating out has become so much more expensive over the years. it has become more expensive than eating in certain countries.