There are no fewer than 46 different kiosks set up along a one-kilometre stretch of the Sliema promenade, with no system in place to control either the number or the area they take up with boards.

Between two kiosks at the busiest section of the Ferries, there were a staggering 26 boards, narrowing the pavement and forcing pedestrians to slow down, making it all the easier for the staff to badger tourists with information about harbour cruises, tours and boat trips.

The kiosks cover a number of operators but one of the most prevalent was Captain Morgan cruises, which runs a number of boats from the promenade.

Company director Michael Zammit Tabona admitted the situation had become ridiculous: “There were only a few until some years ago. Now they have mushroomed.”

There is currently no system to regulate these kiosks – although sources said that one was envisaged under new legislation for the tourism sector meant to be in place in January 2018, which will tackle various anomalies. However, Mr Zammit Tabona believes that his solution would be the most appropriate.

“The kiosks are supposed to be there to administer tourists coming onto the boats.

“So there should be a table on the boat which is only put onto shore for a limited time before the departure time, and once everyone is on board, it should be folded up and put back onto the boat,” he said.

This would not solve the issue of those kiosks which redirect tourists to buy tours from offices on the other side of the road, however, or of how many tours can be promoted by each kiosk.

Mr Zammit Tabona admitted that successive governments had tried – and failed – to regulate the situation.

“One thing is clear. We are not going to remove ours unless everyone else does the same. It’s become a jungle out there.”

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