Any attempt to set a limit on the number of tourists the island could handle in the peak season would be “suicidal” and “a non-starter”, Opposition spokesman and hotelier Robert Arrigo warned.

The idea was recently floated by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, which called for the drawing up of a four-pronged strategic plan to raise awareness on Malta as a premier destination, facilitate ease of access, encourage investment and foster a trained workforce.

Get your bed stock ready rather than decide to close down hotels

It argued that, as a starting point, the size of the island had to be taken into consideration to be able to define the maximum carrying capacity, if necessary by season.

The government said in reaction that a review of the tourism policy would be carried out in the coming weeks. This would then pave the way for a strategic plan.

In addition, new and profitable market segments focusing on sustainable and quality tourism were also being explored, the Tourism Ministry said.

MHRA president Paul Bugeja highlighted the need to take stock of the situation and plan accordingly for the next 10 to 15 years, rather than make important decisions in a vacuum.

As an example, he mentioned last year’s record levels when about 218,000 visitors came to Malta in August.

He questioned whether it made sense aiming even higher before ensuring that the country could cope with such huge numbers.

“If our beaches were already saturated during the peak season, we should either consider expanding them or else try to market alternative segments,” he argued. He said the same could also apply to public transport and the number of beds in four- and five-star hotels

Asked about those segments that were not being fully exploited, he said a prime example was conference and convention tourism.

Mr Bugeja called for the setting up of an entity whose remit would be to focus on this sector, remarking that the resources available to the Malta Tourism Authority were limited.

However, the Opposition spokesman for tourism, Robert Arrigo, expressed himself completely against any move to limit arrivals during the peak season. “You never stop good business. You prepare, plan and cater for this good business,” he said.

Mr Arrigo argued that those who earned their living from the travel industry looked forward to the summer season with eagerness. “You should be ready with new beaches, plan tourist bus routes and get your bed stock ready rather than closing down hotels,” he said.

He questioned whether the MHRA was also including English language students in its formula and cautioned that any measures to keep arrivals under control would impact negatively on the airline industry.

“Any concrete proposals should have the whole industry in mind, not just part of it.”

Mr Arrigo said the Nationalist Party had made several proposals during the recent parliamentary debate on tourism and was willing to support positive initiatives.

On the other hand, he questioned the government’s credentials, remarking that it still had to present its plan on tourism and transport, in spite of now having been in office for more than a year.

Mr Arrigo also criticised the fact that the MTA board had not been constituted, which meant the regulator was operating in a vacuum.

He expressed reservations about setting long-term goals,noting that this was a volatile industry, citing the possible re-emergence of the North African countries as tourist destinations.

Winston Zahra Jr, from the Island Hotels Group, concurred with the call made by the MHRA saying that a clear strategy was a must to move forward.

However, he laid stress on the need to be flexible saying the sector was constantly evolving due to the changing trends of the travel industry.

Touching on the seasonality issue, Mr Zahra expressed concern that there was no clear strategy to boost arrivals between November and February.

On a positive note, he said the record levels of recent years were the direct consequence of an effort to bring all stakeholders onboard.