No major incidents were reported during Thursday night when an estimated crowd of 70,000 flocked to Valletta to welcome the New Year.

The situation on the roads was calm and the police said drivers stopped for breathalyser tests during random checks were not found to have had consumed excessive alcohol.

V18 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef said the celebrations in the capital were an all-round success.

“Apart from the huge crowds that exceeded expectations, the event was very well organised, with no major traffic jams due to the careful planning which ensured an adequate bus and ferry service till very late,” he said.

However, revellers carrying neon sticks distributed by the organisers were left wondering about the “surprise” they had been promised, wondering whether it was just a stunt to boost attendances. Many thought the format of the event was similar to those of previous years, which climaxed at midnight with a projection display on the President’s Palace.

Mr Micallef, however, insisted the surprise was there for all those present to see and listen to. “For the first time ever, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra performed the most popular tunes of 2015 in conjunction with DJ Ruby and many were stunned by the brilliant interpretation,” he said.

Business in Valletta on the night of New Year’s Eve was thriving, in contrast with the situation at the entertainment hub in Paceville, which reportedly suffered a notable decline in attendances both in clubs and restaurants.

There was a notable decline in Italian tourists, who normally spend the last night of the year in Malta

Philip Fenech, who heads the entertainment and hospitality section within the GRTU – Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises said activity only picked up very late, at about 2am, when the event in Valletta was over. “In addition, this year there was a notable decline in Italian tourists, who normally spend the last night of the year in Malta and their absence negatively impacted on our industry,” he said.

He acknowledged that the trend among people in their mid-20s to organise parties at home and then hit the town after midnight was increasingly becoming popular.

A colourful and happy night as thousands ushered in the New Year in the centre of Valletta early yesterday.

“While business was good, it did not reach the expected optimum levels,” he added.

Other stakeholders, who preferred to remain anonymous, however, questioned the approach being taken by the authorities in the wake of last November’s accident in which 74 people were injured when a glass railing outside a nightclub collapsed.

The accident also stoked controversy due to the fact that among the patrons were underage revellers, prompting the government to introduce harsher fines.

“Unfortunately, it has been a very difficult few weeks for business in Paceville and it seems like the authorities have overreacted, to the point that patrons are being put off by the excessive inspections carried out by the police at our premises,” one club owner told this newspaper.

On the night of New Year’s Eve, the police carried out 16 inspections in Paceville clubs, though no underage people were found.

According to a government statement, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela visited officers at the Valletta police station and thanked them for their services at such a busy and hectic time of the year.

While noting that no serious incidents were reported, he said that 26 individuals had been detained by the police drugs squad after being found in possession of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis resin at various parties.

The minister said that more than 830 vehicles were inspected by the police and the opera-tion uncovered 89 cases of mi-nor contraventions.

Meanwhile a Health Ministry spokeswoman said that it was “business as usual” at Mater Dei Hospital’s emergency department.