Tourism Service Providers Development Unit

The Tourism Service Providers Unit within the Malta Tourism Authority is the section which:

(i) Receives and processes applications for new tourism operations, extensions and upgrades that require the issue of a Tourism Compliance Certificate (a preliminary approval certificate) enabling applicant to process the proposed development with other entities. (MEPA, Health Department and Water Services Corporation) These applications consist of: Hotels, Apart Hotels, Tourist Villages, Guest Houses, Hostels, Catering Establishments, Travel Operations and Dive Centres.

(ii) Carries out consultation with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on the above projects and other tourism related development projects;

(iii) Formulates initiatives and proposals re product development aimed to achieve an updated and competitive product.

Interpretation of Categories

"hotel" means any building, howsoever described, in which accommodation, ancillary services and amenities are provided for the public by a common management and includes any number of such buildings which are grouped together;

“Apart-hotel” has the same general meaning of “hotel”. Shall provide self catering units but may also have a number of hotel rooms or suites, provided that these do not constitute more than fifty per cent of the total number of units within the apart-hotel;

“Tourist village” has the same general meaning as that indicated by “hotel” and in addition shall be sited within an extensive and single parcel of land; designed as not to exceed a building height of three floors; provide a common entrance and reception; offer opportunities for sport, recreation and other outdoor activities. Accommodation shall be provided in self catering units or in a mix of such units and hotel-type rooms.

"guest house" means any building, howsoever described, but not being a hotel, in which accommodation, ancillary services and amenities are provided for the public by a common management;

"hostel" means any building, howsoever described, but not being a hotel or a guest house, in which accommodation, ancillary services and amenities of a basic standard are provided for the public by a common management.

"Catering establishment" means any building, premises or other establishment, including kiosks, howsoever described, purveying for reward food and, or, beverages including wines and spirits, for Consumption.

"travel agent" means any person who, whether as principal or agent, arranges for, advises on or undertakes to provide to tourists and other persons, whether singly or in groups, travel arrangements in respect of outgoing travel, including accommodation in a hotel, guest house, hostel, holiday premises or house used for the provision of accommodation to tourists; travel by air, land or sea.  organised excursions and all other matters normally or by custom connected with the tourism industry; but does not include a hotel MALTA TRAVEL AND TOURISM SERVICES (CAP. 409. 5) keeper, guest house keeper, keeper of holiday premises, a person who provides accommodation to tourists in a house, a tourist guide, a supplier of transport services, an incoming tourism agency, a destination management company or an organised excursion operator and "travel agency" shall be construed accordingly;

"incoming tourism agent" means any person who, whether as principal or agent, arranges for, advises on or undertakes to provide to tourists and other persons, whether singly or in groups, travel arrangements in respect of  incoming travel including accommodation in a hotel, guest house, hostel, holiday premises or house used for the provision of accommodation to tourists; travel; organised excursions and all other matters normally or by custom connected with the tourism industry, but does not include a hotel keeper, guest house keeper, hostel keeper, keeper of holiday premises, a person who provides accommodation to tourists in a house, a tourist guide, a person who provides transport services, a travel agency, a destination management company or an organised excursion operator and "incoming tourism agency" shall be construed accordingly;

"organised excursion" means any organised excursion or tour for five or more tourists or other persons to one or more places in or around Malta or transport but excludes any service intended solely to provide transport; and "organised excursion operator" shall be construed accordingly.

"Destination management company" means any person whose principal line of business, whether as principal or agent, is the creation, planning and operation of high level motivational and specialised programmes for tourists and other persons, whether singly or in groups, and which programmes include the provision of all or any of the following services: accommodation in a hotel or other suitable establishment; travel; conference facilities; excursions; guides; interpreters; technical support; entertainment and all other matters normally connected with motivational programmes, congresses, meetings and conference and incentive travel. The term ''destination management company'' does not include a hotel keeper, guest house keeper, keeper of holiday premises, a person who provides accommodation to tourists in a house, a tourist guide, a person who provides transport services by land, sea or air, an incoming tourism agent, a travel agent or an organised excursion operator;

 “dive centre” means the premises from where any person or entity offers recreational diving services to clients and, or to members.

To download the MALTA TRAVEL AND TOURISM SERVICES ACT

Contacts:

Manager Tourism Service Providers Development:

Ms Anna Lanczet

E-mail: anna.lanczet@visitmalta.com

Telephone: 22915183