Malta's short-let market is entering a more regulated phase. With the Malta Tourism Authority's 2026 rules (Legal Notice 92) in force, owners who rent out apartments, guesthouses and small hotels face more paperwork and more scrutiny. Many are asking for a manager who can show how their property is performing.

That question suits Buena Vista Property Management. The Sliema company was founded in 2008 by Aaron Xuereb and his wife Paula, who both remain active directors. It was one of the first companies in Malta to manage holiday rentals professionally, at a time when Airbnb was still a start-up. Today it is a technology-driven business, and it looks after more than 300 properties across Malta and Gozo.

A different route into property

Mr Xuereb did not come to property management through property. He started playing football at eight, went on to play at the highest level in Malta, won championships and represented the national team. Alongside this he studied Business and Computing and built a career in gaming data, working at Betsson from 2012 to 2016 and then at Gaming Innovation Group, where he was Chief Data Officer.

Throughout those years he and Paula were running Buena Vista on the side, while he trained twice a day and they raised two children. In 2018 he left his career to focus on the company full time.

“The work nobody sees decides the result everyone does,” he says. It is a lesson he took from sport and applies to the business.

Data first

His background in gaming analytics shapes how the company operates. Buena Vista built its own property management system, which coordinates bookings, cleaning schedules and reporting. Owners have a dedicated portal showing how their property is performing, and pricing decisions draw on market data and comparable listings rather than instinct. Mr Xuereb reviews performance dashboards every day.

Technology is central to how Buena Vista competes, and artificial intelligence is the next step. The company is working to bring AI into every part of the business, from revenue management and customer service to business analysis and day-to-day operations. The aim is to respond to the market faster, cut manual work and give owners clearer answers, while keeping people in charge of the relationship.

Guests have a travel companion app with an AI assistant that hands over to a member of the team whenever a person is needed. Cleaning and maintenance are carried out by the company's own staff rather than subcontractors, so one team is accountable for the standard guests and owners see.

What the new rules mean for owners

For owners, the practical effect of the 2026 rules is that licensing and compliance now sit at the centre of any rental. Buena Vista guides owners through Malta Tourism Authority requirements as part of its service, so compliance is handled from the start.

Mr Xuereb believes the tighter framework favours operators who are open with their clients. “Owners should be able to see what their property earns and where the money goes,” he says. “If something goes wrong, we tell them and put it right.”

Quality over scale

The company is selective about which properties it takes on. It manages short lets, long lets, guesthouses and hotels, and also offers guaranteed rent, key holding and interior design. As a family-run business, it aims for long-term relationships with owners rather than growth for its own sake.

Looking ahead

With the regulatory landscape settling, Buena Vista expects more owners to look for managers who combine compliance with clear reporting. The company plans to keep investing in its systems and in AI so owners get faster, clearer insight into their income.

For more information on Buena Vista's services, visit www.buenavistapm.com.