One in three diners was foreign last winter, a new survey has concluded.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association today unveiled the results of its 2015-2016 Restaurant Performance review, which found overall growth in the sector.

Restaurant income topped €600 million last year - an increase of 31 per cent when compared to three years ago, a Tourism Ministry statement said - with 9,000 people working in the sector.

Valletta had the highest portion of foreign diners with 44 per cent being from overseas.

Conducted among 64 outlets by Deloitte, the survey found that 55 per cent of industry players reported revenue growth. Around a third reported losses with the rest reporting no major changes.

Overall, the participants reported an average revenue spike of four per cent aswell as an average three per cent cost drop.

All regions covered in the survey registered growth, with Valletta, St Paul's Bay and Mdina enjoying the best winter period.

According to the survey, the average spend at restaurants was around €20-a-head.

Asked about the future, 53 per cent were optimistic that they would have a better
Summer than last year. Some 45 expected the same as last year and only two per cent were worried it would be worse.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis told seminar participants that revised restaurant regulations would be unveiled within the next few months. The changes would make it easier to apply for new permits, enforce rules and cut down on bureaucracy, the minister said. 

He told restaurateurs they had to be faster at adapting their menus to the rapidly evolving sector, and urged them to apply for a Quality Assured Seal to ensure standards remained high. 

The Quality Assured seal is a Malta Tourism Authority quality recognition scheme introduced in 2008 and opened to restaurants last year. Participating businesses are assessed either annually or once every two years.