The MHRA Malta Hotels and restaurants Association said today that the decision to re-locate the ‘Monti’ at the 'new and elegant entrance' of Valletta risks deviating Malta's vision of improving its product.

"It is the plan to place the market at the main entrance of the Capital City, next to two important landmarks, and not just the design of the stalls which is taking us away from our quality vision," the association said.

It called on the government to reconsider this decision and pursue further the vision that quality is set as the hallmark of the Malta product without exception.

"The government must remain focused on Malta becoming a centre of excellence and locating the Monti at the entrance to our Word Heritage city does not take us closer to achieving this vision," it said.