Eleven restaurants have applied for a newly launched quality scheme that recognises high level service and incentivises restaurants to adopt professional practices.

The scheme was launched by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants in January.

Restaurants taking part will be awarded the MHRA Recommended label after being assessed by an independent board that will inspect the outlet against a set of standard criteria.

The restaurants which applied for the seal, were this morning presented with the guidelines they have to follow in the next six months – an adjustment period.

After this period they will be judged by an independent panel and will receive a mystery guest every six months. They will get a general assessment annually. After two and a half years they can opt out or continue the programme.

The scheme reviews restaurants vying for the label in 10 areas, including the identification and adoption of mission statements, service standards and full compliance with Malta Tourism Authority requirements, health and safety regulations and fire and safety requirements.

The total cost for is €1,300.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said the restaurants industry made positive leaps forward in the past years.

The scheme ensured that this sector continued to improve its service. It allowed tourists to identify the quality level of a restaurant while it ensured that restaurant owners invested in the all the aspects of a restaurant experience.

Dr de Marco said that the Recommended Label Scheme would also serve to encourage the restaurant industry to remain competitive.

Tourism operators, he said, had to must to ensure that they adapted to the demands of tourists from different countries and to the changes in the tourism market.