The Gozo Tourism Association, referring to the latest Legal Notice regulating the licensed accommodation, said that it notes that the MTA licensed operators/owners through this Legal Notice “are being held responsible and fined accordingly for overcrowding that sometimes can be out of their control.”

The GTA in a statement, reiterated once again that it is “unfair to hold the self-catering accommodation lessors responsible for the number of people in the rented private properties.”

It argued that, “the majority of the licensed self-catering operators are booking their units according to their licensed number of beds, yet they charge per unit per day and not per person.”

“It has always been the concern of the self-catering operators how to control the number of booked people in the rented property and those actually staying in,” the GTA said.

The Association pointed out that “it is practically impossible for the operators to police their rented property, thus it is insensitive to fine the operators if their rented accommodation is overcrowded.”

Furthermore, the GTA stressed that these regulations are favouring the operators of unlicensed properties, as in the event these are traced, they are being fined as much as the licensee holders (whose clients are not observing the Regulations), with the difference that their property will be taken for granted as able to hold a maximum number of ten guests (in most cases higher than the average number of occupancy for every rental property in Gozo).

Moreover, according to the GTA, “this same Legal Notice exonerates these properties from being fined accordingly for operating without a license, as stipulated under Section 41 (1) (a) of the Malta Travel & Tourism Services Act.”

The GTA said that, “the unlicensed properties are a permanent concern, which the competent Authorities are aware of.” Adding that it “expected that at least this Legal Notice makes a distinction between the licensed operators/owners from the unlicensed ones.”

The GTA went on to say that “even in this circumstance, such unfair competition is being left unpunished.”

“It is worth reminding that such unlicensed properties are creating unfair level playing since these do not pay licenses, VAT and eco- contribution in normal circumstances, let alone during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the GTA stated.

The GTA said that “whilst it full understands that the Government is to take measures to safeguard the health of the population especially during a pandemic,” it also expects that “such measures should not be half baked or discriminating between establishments within the same sector.”

The Gozo Tourism Association concluded by once again urging the authorities to “continue with their efforts in enforcing the health protocols.” Saying that it “rests solely on the holiday maker to be responsible and act diligently at all times while enjoying a holiday break.”

File photo by Alain Salvary

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