Details on how the new tourism tax was going to be implemented were expected soon, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said today.

The 50c nightly eco tax was meant to come into effect on April 1 but has since been delayed to June 1 due to lack of agreement on how to collect it.

Speaking during the MHRA-BOV quarterly review, MHRA president Tony Zahra said the association had multiple meetings with the government about the matter.

“We are near to reaching an agreement on the method of collection and the composition of the foundation which will administer the funds,” Mr Zahra said.

The MHRA reported that all sectors in the hotel industry reported significant rate improvements in 2015.

The number of tourists and guest nights reportedly opting for collective accommodation in 2015 was substantially in line with what was reported last year.

This was also reflected in the survey results, where occupancy levels increased marginally notwithstanding temporary reductions in capacity due to a number of hotel refurbishments projects, leading to less bed capacity available.