Prime Minister Robert Abela says that investment in quality tourism is the best certificate for the Maltese tourism sector
Prime Minister Robert Abela officially opened the Casa Bonavita hotel, a historic 18th century Maltese house in the heart of Attard. This project by Maltese entrepreneurs was carried out with an investment of over €8 million and through it, while the house retained its Maltese character, it was transformed into a 17-room boutique hotel.
Dr Abela said that this is not only a substantial private investment that also involved a restoration process. He said that it is also a transformation of a property in the heart of the old village of Attard, to offer tourists the elements of luxury, Maltese character, authenticity and genuineness, all combined.
The Prime Minister said that this investment is also one of a whole chain of strong private investment currently underway in the country in the tourism sector and that he described it as the greatest certificate of trust from Maltese and foreign investors in the country’s economy.
Dr Abela said that apart from positive figures regarding growth in the volume and expenditure of tourists, Eurostat figures show that only 22% of the nights spent by tourists in Malta were registered between July and August. This is when, the average number of nights spent by tourists in the European Union was 31%, in the same months.
“This in itself is an incredible achievement for the Maltese Islands because we have become a destination that has managed to develop a strong tourism industry throughout the year,” said Dr Abela. He said that at this moment the Government’s vision is for Malta to bring more value, for the volume it is attracting.
“Back in April we took important decisions and in June these came into effect. So much for the development of low-rise accommodation, encouragement for existing accommodation to be improved, while we continued to regulate the short-lets market,” continued the Prime Minister.
He concluded by thanking the investors of Casa Bonavita while acknowledging that with their hard work and determination they, and many others like them across the country, are offering a top-level product, for top-level tourists.
Owners’ representative Francis Spiteri Paris expressed satisfaction with the fact that this important milestone had been reached. He stated that in the process the owners ensured that not only would the product be Maltese, but the hotel itself would be worked on by Maltese people: from the construction work, to the carpentry and other trades. “This was done instead of importing finished work from abroad, thus ensuring the authenticity of Casa Bonavita.”
“We believe that Casa Bonavita is filling a gap in the Maltese hospitality sector and is also helping to create something new. There are many excellent hotels in Malta, but few are small, provide individual attention and are aimed at those tourists who are looking for Maltese character,” concluded Mr Spiteri Paris.
Also present were the Hotel’s General Manager Cyril Baligand and the Executive Head of Housekeeping Therese Agius.
Photos: OPM
