In the wake of calls for a review of nightclub regulations, the Chamber of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises – GRTU is urging owners to self-regulate.
Philip Fenech, president of the GRTU’s leisure division, said the industry was growing as the number of tourists and domestic demand increased, and there was always room to improve standards.
However, standards already existed within the industry and establishments were granted licences requiring strict health and safety compliance.
“GRTU believes in self-regulation when it comes to enforcement and my message to club owners is to understand the responsibilities they have. No matter how strong enforcement is, it will always boil down to self-regulation,” he told this newspaper.
Without shying away from the importance of a strict door policy and controls when it came to admitting underage children, parents also had a responsibility to check where their children were, he said.
The granting of the wines and spirits licence – which allowed for admission of children but not the sale of alcohol in certain places, while it prohibited complete entry in others – should be discussed, Mr Fenech said. Areas where licence regulations could be abused should be looked into.
The GRTU recently took part in a working group, chaired by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, on security issues in tourist areas. Matters discussed included dealing with supervision all year round and handling increasing pressures during different times of the year in the St Julian’s, Swieqi and Pembroke areas.
When contacted, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Tony Zahra noted that the industry was regulated by the government, which was also responsible for enforcement.
Individual operators were obliged to follow regulations and there were penalties if they were not followed, Mr Zahra said, adding that the MHRA continuously promoted awareness about regulations.
“While we are not yet aware of what caused this particular incident, the leisure industry is of course concerned.
Keeping in mind a sense of proportionality that this incident is a one-off, we hope it is not repeated as one is still one too many,” he said.
Asked about underage admission in clubs, Mr Zahra said the MHRA would not support any illegalities or anyone who committed such irregularities.
If someone did not agree with a particular regulation, there were ways and means to discuss this with the authorities, but they could not take the law into their own hands, he said.