Joyce, Ray Lovegrove, Dartford, England
Tourists’ experience of noise pollution
My husband and I love Malta. We are frequent visitors.
Recently we opted to go to the St Julians area instead of staying, as we normally do, in the south of the island. It was a disaster.
We booked into a three star hotel in the vicinity of Bay Street. The hotel management treated us like royalty.
The unsolved problem and the shattering headache that spoiled it all was the never-ending noise during the night coming from the underlying bars and clubs in the vicinity.
It appears that in that part of the island the long arm of the law as to noise control and noise abatement, so that hotel guests can enjoy a good night’s sleep, does not reach out.
We learned about this sad state of affairs from the hotel management who informed us, when we complained, that the hotel had lodged dozens of official complaints.
Apparently these seem to have fallen on deaf ears! The hotel management were extremely courteous and apologetic – for something which the authorities should have righted long ago and which is within the powers of the law of the land.
We strongly believe that if Malta wants to attract repeat tourism this control of noise pollution should be taken in hand in earnest.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
10 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mark Palman
May 8th 2011, 13:40
We also love Malta, and are frequent visitors from England. I would guess that, from your comments, we are about the same age, and like the same type of holiday. Only once have we stayed at St Julians, and that was a last minute booking to celebrate new year, but we knew what to expect. In fact, I'm almost certain our bedroom wall was on the other side of a nightclub!
Other times, we keep well away from St Julians, Paceville as its not our scene. We much prefer hiring a car and exploring the island, so we tend to stay inland (appartments in Balzan, Attard, Naxxar etc) where its quiet, relaxed, a taste of the real Malta and easy to get to all our destinations.
As has been said by others, tourism is the lifeblood of Malta, and it caters superbly for all groups of holidaymakers in their designated areas. It's really no different to, say, Cyprus, where we wouldn't go to Ayia Nappa as its not for our age group. In Malta, we know what to expect at St Julians, so avoid it as we'd be 30 years older than anyone else. If you are a frequesnt visitor, you should also have known this. Try Blackpool at 3am on a saturday night in summer, and i don't think you'd find it much different.
Mr M Mealclaff
May 7th 2011, 11:52
You went to St Julians and were hoping for some Quiet moments !!
That would be like going To Las Vegas for some peace and Quiet !!
Mr Manwel Debattista
May 8th 2011, 01:46
Mr. Mealclaff, have you ever heard of law and order? These apply to St. Julian's too in case you did not know and there are specific laws which are being openly broken and which if adhered to, will ensure Joyce and Ray Lovegrove, or any tourist for that matter, will have a decent night rest without having to drink themselves to sleep or wear earplugs.
Mr Joseph Thwaites
May 7th 2011, 11:22
Malta is a small island with a corresponding economy. The tourism sector is probably its main means of income so it has to appeal to all types of holiday makers - young, middle aged and old, they all contribute. Unlike yourself, some people enjoy spending most of the night dancing to loud music in bars and nightclubs and that's what the St Julians area caters for, as a frequent visitor you should have been aware of that.
The Southern end of the island is nice but for real tranquillity make Gozo your next destination, you wont regret it and you'll return again and again.
Mr Brian Simmons
May 7th 2011, 09:49
As a regular visitor were you not aware of the areas problems in this area?
Charles Micallef
May 7th 2011, 09:39
This is ALL related to the way alcohol licenses are issued, they are antiquated and needs updating to hold the 'licensee" responsible for his or her actions, as things are, abuse will never be controlled!
Charlie Borg
May 7th 2011, 09:26
I sympathise with you, but you may find that the hotel in which you stayed could - repeat, 'could' - have very well been the owner of said noisy establishments below.
Mr Manwel Debattista
May 8th 2011, 01:38
Now would’nt it be silly for a hotel owner to risk his investment by scaring off his clients and lose potential business by playing loud (and illegal) music? Think before you write Mr. Borg.
Liam Kelly
May 7th 2011, 09:10
St. Julians, as you probably should have known/researched, is the night time hot spot of the whole island. Bay street itself was purely built for entertainment purposes.
The south of Malta is your best bet next time.
Nadya Depasquale
May 7th 2011, 15:23
Maybe we shouldn't just say St Julians. You can't compare the area round Bay Street and Paceville with the area round Spinola Bay or the 5* hotels which you can reach without passing through Paceville.