I was delighted when I returned to Valletta in January to see the bright new paint on government buildings and the transformation of Triton Square in preparation for the opening of the 2018 EU City of Culture.

Alas, what has happened since! We returned to Valletta in June to find the streets filthy, a lack of waste bins and the beautiful Republic Street and Merchants Street full of delivery vans. Last Thursday at 3pm I counted 12 white vans in Republic Street and 10 in Merchants Street: at one point three vans were parked abreast making it almost impossible for tourists to pass.

I understood that tourism was an important industry to Malta, but the city is not making an effort to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable. For example, I challenge the ministers responsible for tourism and the environment to attempt to walk from the Sliema ferry dock in Valletta, via the dark, litter strewn tunnel on to the narrow, unkempt pavement towards St Elmo and The Malta Experience film.

Having negotiated the tunnel and looked down on to the disused polo pool full of floating rubbish the next hazard is the single, narrow broken pavement along Triq Marsamxett. Finally, reaching a more substantial path, they must then keep their eyes down to avoid the dog excrement instead of enjoying the wonderful view of the sea.

Hundreds of tourists use this route every day but what a terrible impression they are left with to tell other potential visitors.

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