A sight for sore eyes: No. 1 Dock is rising from the ashes, so to speak, even though for a short time to accommodate the boat show.

The potential around the Three Cities is enormous; there are areas like the dock just waiting to be discovered. I use this word "discovered" since they have been forgotten for far too long.

Cottonera can generate what is missing with our Product Malta; it can provide the old as new. There is so much history and a bit of tender loving care can revamp the whole area. Every day that I approach Senglea quay, just before the Maċina, I am faced with probably one of the most breath-taking sights in Malta if not in the whole of Europe: French Creek with the yacht marina and Vittoriosa Waterfront on the right. In the distance there is Fort St Angelo, then right in the background is majestic Valletta.

The tourism authorities need to harness the Three Cities as a matter of urgency. The new cruise liner terminal in Senglea is a start. I know that people are trying to ridicule it as, thus far, only one ship has berthed there but this is a long-term investment.

Now is the time, while it is quiet on the tourism front, to take stock and start improving what we have to offer. It would be a disaster if we were to get the label of "reaching or past sell by date".