The Embassy Valletta Hotel's General Manager Hubert Debono has highlighted the challenges that Malta’s hospitality sector faces, while also welcoming the removal of most of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Malta is set to enter its first summer without COVID-19 restrictions since 2019, with the last two summers hindering the tourism industry, a vital cog in Malta’s economy.

Speaking on his feeling for the coming summer, Mr Debono claimed that he is expecting a better summer in terms of bookings for the hotel than that of 2021.

When asked on if people are still cautious about staying in hotels due to the pandemic, Mr Debono said: “No, people are fed up with restrictions.”

“Most people had COVID-19 already or are fully vaccinated, so they have no fear that they will need to be hospitalised because of it,” he added.

With the use of masks no longer being mandatory indoors from 2nd May, there have been debates in recent weeks over the maintaining of restrictions by individual businesses.

Mr Debono claimed The Embassy Valletta Hotel will keep having sanitisers available for use throughout the hotel, but will not be enforcing any additional COVID-19 restrictions.

While Mr Debono claimed “The demand for travel is coming back with a vengeance” this summer, he was also concerned about other factors within the tourism industry, especially when it comes to employment.

“The availability of employees at all levels is a challenge, with there being none locally, and visas and work permits for foreign national taking way too long,” he said.

“Recruitment agencies practically have no candidates available,” with Mr Debono adding “The only candidates we are getting have a residence permit, and to engage them legally would take two to three months.”

The ongoing war in Ukraine hasn’t helped out the hospitality sector either, with Mr Debono expecting price increases for both “post-COVID logistical issues resulting in reduced supplies and increased transportation costs,” as well as “increased fuel prices due to the current war.”

One of Mr Debono’s chief concerns is the tourism industry’s preparation for the coming summer, with him claiming “The industry is not yet geared up to handle the sudden increase in demand for travel.”

Despite the challenges Mr Debono mentioned, he still feels the hotel has a “very high demand” and that there is “no need for us to come up with any offers” in order to boost the occupancy rate.

Mr Debono is an experienced figure in the hospitality sector, having worked in numerous management roles apart from his current one at The Embassy Valletta Hotel, including at be.HOTEL, db Hotels & Resorts and also at Westin Hotels & Resorts.

Situated at the heart of the capital, The Embassy Valletta Hotel opened in its doors late in 2020, standing on the site of one of Malta’s first hotels.