A revamped classification system for tourist accommodation will be introduced tomorrow through a legal notice.

Tourism Minister Mario de Marco told a press conference that the changes were designed to "bring hotel standards in line with client expectations and trends across Europe".

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Among the biggest changes will be a requirement for four-and five-star hotels to provide wifi access to guests.

A new one-star category is being created, while four-star hotels will no longer be required to have a restaurant or offer full-board and half-board stays.

New hotels will be required to attain eco-certification status within six months of opening, while existing hotels will also be required to be eco-certified, though they will have a longer timeframe in which to attain this status.

There will also be six new "special labels": bed-and-breakfast, resort, rural, agri-tourism, heritage and spa.

Existing hotels which already give themselves these labels will have to meet certain requirements set out in the amended legislation.

The new regulations are being introduced in collaboration with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

The amended legislation was influenced by the Hotel Stars Union, which represents national hotel associations from 12 EU countries, including Malta.

The Hotel Stars Union is working towards harmonising accommodation classification systems in Europe, and Malta adapted the Union's guidelines to suit its needs.

A deadline for accommodation providers to fall in line with the amended legislation is not stipulated.

"It will be a collaborative process between the Tourism Authority and hoteliers to help them to meet requirements if they do not already do so," said Malta Tourism Authority product development manager Anna Lanczet.