Mepa is proposing to “facilitate the vertical extension of existing hotels” by two floors, or possibly more, with the aim of boosting the quality of the tourism product.

The policy launched for public consultation today is a revision of the Hotels Height Limitation Adjustment Policy that was approved only last May. The new policy essentially widens the opportunities for hotels to benefit from additional floors to “increase their profitability and competitive edge”.

Any hotel, rated as three-star or above by the Malta Tourism Authority, may apply for a permit to build an additional two floors over and above the height permitted in the Local Plan.

One of the main revisions of the new policy is that hotels would no longer need to compensate for the additional height by transferring the equivalent amount of floor space.

Some hotels may even qualify for a permit that allows more than two floors, if site area is at least 5,000 square meters and surrounded by existing or planned roads. Hotels that are “stand alone buildings” may also apply for more than two additional floors.

The exception is hotels located within a scheduled area, Outside Development Zone, on a ridge or within an Urban Conservation Area.

Saying this was a “business-friendly administration”, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Michael Falzon stressed the policy had “a strong emphasis on quality”.

The concessions would be granted on condition that it results in an upgrade of the tourism product, Mr Falzon said.