Malta has been experiencing increasing tourist arrivals for a number of years. There are several reasons for this and attributing the increase to just one would be short-sighted and stupid.

Recently, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association spoke against unlicensed bed and breakfast properties as – according to the MHRA – they represent unfair competition for those who have invested heavily in the various aspects of the hospitality sector.

In recent weeks,we also had controversy around the introduction of a daily tax charged on tourist overnight stays. Although the MHRA accepted its introduction, there were other stakeholders of the tourism sector who claimed that this tax was introduced without any consultation with them.

In a discussion in Parliament this week, it was stated that Xlendi restaurant owners were objecting to government proposals which would make them move their outdoor tables and chairs a few metres away from the shoreline to allow free access to pedestrians. This objection is hardly surprising as the situation in Archbishop Street, Valletta (the part between Merchants Street and Republic Street), is not much different.

Now is the time to shed our image of a superior economy class – at times moving towards basic economy class, and go for a business class image. Tourism operators seeking to make a quick buck cannot be part of this process

In yet another issue, this newspaper reported that a group of yacht owners filed a judicial protest against Transport Malta and Gżira local council, calling for the removal of the flea market at the Ta’ Xbiex Yacht Marina. The 22 yacht owners argued that a group of hawkers had recently been allowed to organise themselves into a flea market every Saturday at the yacht marina. This, they argued, obstructed their access to their yachts as well as taking up parking space.

One can also mention the issue of building development. It is always pertinent to ask whether such development represents a threat to the tourism sector or not, and whether we are actually constructing white elephants that will ruin the environment forever.

We need to remember that against this backdrop there are ongoing negotiations aimed at keeping Air Malta planes in the air. I shall not comment on Air Malta to be consistent with the position I took when I resigned from the post of chairman of the airline’s board in 2010. However, these negotiations are a historical fact and need to be noted. It should be equally noted as a historical fact that the tourism sector has developed in Malta to the position it is today also as a result of the work done by Air Malta.

So what is the point I am trying to make? What is irking me? The tourism sector is doing well. It is injecting money into the economy, which is all very good. This injection helps to repay some of the investments made by the private sector as well as some of the infrastructure developed by the public sector. So what is the matter?

I believe that when the going is as good as it is today, we need to make sure that the current performance of the tourism sector does not provide fertile ground for those looking to make a quick buck. Such persons or companies come in all shapes and sizes. Can we be sure that the various points I mentioned earlier on will not impact negatively on the tourism sector?

Since the going is so good, now is the time to look at the quality of the product and service in all their aspects. Companies operating in the tourism sector may belong to the ‘shareholders’ from a narrow legalistic perspective.

However, they are responsible to the country as a whole because of the impact they may have on such an important pillar of our economy.

Borrowing from airline jargon, maybe now is the time to shed our image of a superior economy class – at times moving towards basic economy class, and go for a business class image. Tourism operators seeking to make a quick buck cannot be part of this process.