At least 10 new illegal restaurants have been identified by the tourism authority in recent weeks as the government readies for a crackdown, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

The Malta Tourism Authority has conducted some 200 inspections on catering establishments so far this year. Among the 25 irregularities flagged, the authority found that 10 restaurants were operating without a licence.

The MTA believes around 70 unlicensed catering establishments are operating across the island, but many are slipping through the legal net as loopholes leave the authorities powerless to shut them down.

The issue of unlicensed restaurants was first thrust into the spotlight back two years ago when traditional restaurant owners complained they were being driven out of business by unlicensed operators who could charge lower prices as they avoided tax and were not subject to the same health and safety standards.

Read more in The Sunday Times of Malta.

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