Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella will be meeting the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association to find a “realistic” solution to the number of illegal restaurants operating across the island.

“I am aware of the situation but this is a complex problem,” he said. “We need to analyse the situation before taking any realistic action.”

His comments follow what this newspaper reported that the Malta Tourism Authority estimated there are 70 unlicensed operations across the island. The MHRA is worried about the negative effect these had on restaurants offering traditional cuisine.

Mr Vella told Times of Malta yesterday he was in favour of regulating unlicensed restaurants when possible but insisted a distinction must be made between different illegalities.

“It is important to keep in mind there are many different types of irregularities.

“We have cases where restaurants do not have planning permission. Others do not have MTA licences. Then we have some that have very specific irregularities.

This is a complex problem

“This is why we should first get a better understanding of the extent of the problem.”

The MHRA had expressed doubts over the MTA’s “conservative” estimate of operations. Catering spokesman Matthew Pace had said he received a stream of complaints from restaurateurs being driven out of business.

The problem, he said, was mostly restricted to countryside establishments offering the traditional fenkata served in restaurants normally found in Rabat and Mġarr.

Mr Pace said the irregular restaurants had an unfair advantage over other catering establishments, claiming they did not pay tax and were not subject to the same health and safety standards.

Mr Vella said the MTA had attempted to take action against one irregular operator but was stopped dead in its track when the Tourism Appeals Board decided the issue did not fall within the MTA’s remit.