The Malta Tourism Association (MTA) carried out an operation in Swieqi over the past two days, consisting of inspections of tourism rental accommodation properties in the locality.

The inspections, the authority said, form part of its work to ensure conformity with the sector’s regulatory framework, and to improve the quality of Malta’s tourism product.

In total, MTA officials conducted 252 inspections. 67 properties were found to be in breach of one or more licensing or operational requirements. In addition, it said, 6 properties were found to be operating without the required licence or authorisation.

As a result of the irregularities identified, 14 enforcement notices have thus far been issued, while 6 properties will be blacklisted, it said.

Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that these results show the Government’s determination to strengthen good governance in the tourism sector and ensure that operators follow the rules.

The news of the inspections comes after 12 tourists were fined a total of €2,000 earlier this week when police and MTA officials responded to reports of excessive noise and public disorder in an apartment block on Sunday.

In April of this year, the government published a legal notice introducing new regulations for short-let properties, include limitations on guest numbers per bedroom, the need for a waste collection plan, and the need for short-let apartment to display the details of a designated person available 24 hours a day outside their properties, among other things.

"The quality and reputation of Malta's tourism industry depend on how seriously we enforce the regulations. We have a responsibility towards operators who invest in and run their businesses properly, as well as towards our residents and visitors. Anyone who chooses to operate outside the law should know that they will face immediate and decisive action," Dr Abela said.

The Government said that follow-up inspections will take place in the coming weeks, and that the MTA will continue to closely monitor compliance within the sector.