Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523932
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt FOR SALE QUAD BIKE BOMBARDIER 650CC (2006). My black and yellow beautiful almost immaculate, always serviced quad is, with a heavy heart for sale. She is licensed till October 2024 and road ready. It's now time for someone else to enjoy. Annual road is €259. Asking price is €3500. Call or WhatsApp on 79990807. Heritage watchdog clears Beltissebh library and garden extension Record tourist bed tax receipts of €4.7m in 2023 A proposed extension of the Central Public Li- brary at Beltissebħ in Floriana has been green-lit by heritage watchdogs who believe photomontag- es show a minimal impact on historical view and vistas from across the Msida Creek and harbour. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage concluded that since the proposed building is approximately the same height as the rest of the existing library building, its impact on the views of the Msida Bastion will be limited. But while approving the project in principle, the Superintendence questioned the necessity for the erection of a boundary wall around the reading garden, which it wants either removed and replaced by shrubs, or lowered to around one metre. This, according to the SCH, would improve visibility from within the new garden towards the harbour. The heritage watchdog called for changes to the proposed design, particularly of the apertures of the new library wing which "should be inspired from the arched apertures design" which char- acterises the older part of the library. It also said it would like the building to be constructed in local limestone and not clad. Plans submitted to the Planning Authority fore- see a 585sq.m extension to the Central Public Li- brary on an adjacent open space. This includes an additional building for a multi-purpose hall, additional common areas for the general public, and a reading garden with a book café. Cheryl Falzon, Malta's National Librarian and CEO of Malta Libraries, explained to Malta- Today in December 2023 that book cafés and reading gardens play a crucial role in fostering a culture of reading, social interaction, and re- laxation. "These public spaces can also act as cultural hubs that celebrate literature, art, and intellectual discourse by hosting book clubs, workshops, educational programmes, and dis- cussions, thus enriching the cultural fabric of the community," Falzon said. Another aspect of the project is the creation of a green space where people can read in a tran- quil and peaceful setting, allowing them to un- wind and relax. "The combination of nature and literature creates a serene atmosphere and con- tributes to stress reduction and mental well-be- ing," Falzon told MaltaToday. The project still needs approval by the Plan- ning Authority and the application is currently suspended to give the authorities more time to adjust their plans. MALTA'S collection of eco-contributions on tourist stays, a nominal 50c a night that is capped at €5, was the highest ever in 2023 with €4.7 million collected throughout the year. The figure was the highest ev- er collected in terms of tourist nights since being first levied back in 2016. Before 2023, the highest ever collected was in 2019 at €4.1 million, before COVID-19 shuttered borders to tourism, with eco-contributions falling to €1.89m and €1.4m in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The eco-contribution is chargeable with respect to ac- commodation in any premises that is also licensed under the Malta Travel and Tourism Ser- vices Act. This eco-contribu- tion is also chargeable by host families providing accommo- dation services for students. The main objective of the contribution is said "to im- prove quality along the tour- ism value chain", with revenue generated from the initiative ring-fenced and used solely to upgrade and embellish touris- tic infrastructure around the Maltese islands. In 2023, the fund was used for the resurfacing of roads in Bugibba and Qawra, Paceville roadworks, 3D modelling for marine archaeology, the resto- ration of community gardens, cleaning and maintenance, and other embellishment projects in the north of the island. Total inbound tourists for April 2024 were estimated at 306,279, an increase of 14.8% over the same month in 2023. Total nights spent amounted to 1,676,516, and total expend- iture almost reached €239.6 million. The largest share of guest nights (88%) was spent in rent- ed accommodation establish- ments. Inbound tourists in the first four months of 2024 amounted to 888,118, while to- tal nights spent almost reached 5.1 million nights. Total tourism expenditure for the period January-April 2024 was estimated at €646.8 million, while expenditure per capita stood at €728.