I read with interest the article in the Times of Malta (October 4), ‘The number one problem in tourism’ which stated that there are “glaring shortcomings” in tourism zones and in the upkeep of the island all year round.

I love Malta and have visited a number of times including last week but the thing I find most disappointing and unpleasant is the amount of dog mess all over the streets in Valletta and elsewhere. It is impossible to look up at the wonderful historic buildings without stepping into dog mess.

As an English woman I find this quite distressing and would appeal to the government to address this problem.

What about bins at strategic points where people could put their dog mess? It would take a while to persuade people to pick it up (with the proper bags, of course) and put it in the bins but it has worked in England so I am sure it could work in Malta.