I have been visiting Malta for over 30 years and have seen many changes on the island where one of the main sources of income is tourism.

I have over the years experienced many of the Maltese attitudes and views on many subjects from appalling building decisions to alleged corruption in many areas.

Malta has a rich heritage which has not always been satisfactorily nurtured by those in authority or with the power to protect and preserve these unique islands.

I am aware that some un­scrupulous citizens will try to take advantage of tourists from time to time although the vast majority of these wonderful people are welcoming and honest and I have some good friends here.

One of the latest of these, in my view, scams is the charging of a ‘bed tax’ for hotel guests.

I feel sure that in the normal process of business all establishments will be taxed for the services they provide and businesses that they run.

So again the authorities have decided to ‘milk’ the tourist, who can do nothing but pay up for a charge for no reason other than government greed and extracting more cash from tourism without returning anything that the tourist does not already pay for.

I have already had a small victory with Maltapost where they couldn’t ‘find’ a property in Buġibba that I know has been there for over 30 years to my knowledge and in fact, much longer. I am still trying to extract a refund from Transport Malta in respect of non-running buses, meaning that my timed ticket ran out before the bus arrived, over an hour late, making me pay again.

I tried writing to ‘the government’ about the ‘bed tax’ but as is common in Malta, officials will ignore letters that they do not wish to or have an answer for or actually have no answer.

I find it disgraceful that officials and elected politicians feel that they can be exempted from explaining a stealth tax on tourism “just because Italy has one”.

Why should tourists pay such a tax, having already contributed to so many of the island’s facilities and services by having a holiday in Malta?

If one contacts a company or government representative requesting a reason, or even an excuse, for the addition of a further tax burden to the tourist, who keeps so many islanders employed, it is not unreasonable to expect the courtesy of a reply and an explanation.

Maybe someone can explain to me, without the sometimes accusing Maltese sarcasm, why I should subsidise a government that cannot offer a response to a reasonable request about an unreasonable tax.

Any genuine and kind advice would be welcomed, especially seeing that the officials imposing such taxes cannot or will not offer an explanation.