Andre Grech, Mirachem Director and Co-Founder of Naxxar wine bar Onella, has pointed to Sardinia as an example to question whether increasing Malta’s tourist eco-tax would actually help attract higher-spending visitors.

Mr Grech pointed out that the tourist tax in Cagliari ranges from €1 to €5 per person per night, depending on the accommodation category. For general short-lets, it is €2 from October to June and €3 from July to September.

Malta’s eco-tax currently stands at €1.50 per night but it will shoot up significantly next year – to €8 for hotels and €10 for short-lets.

“Yet Sardinia attracts visitors willing to spend on good accommodation, restaurants and experiences,” Mr Grech pointed out.

“Its appeal comes from beautiful beaches, scenery, food, hospitality and the quality of the destination, not from charging the highest tourist tax.”

“So why do we believe that charging €8–€10 per person per night will bring a better-spending tourist to Malta?”

He went on to warn that Malta risks becoming less competitive if it increases its tourist tax without improving its infrastructure, cleanliness, public spaces and heritage protection in a manner that would “justify the price”.