Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543144
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 FEBRUARY 2026 OPINION headlines of transition. This is where the conversation about 'quality' must mature. Quality is not achieved by sim- ply reducing numbers or raising prices. It is achieved by shaping the ecosystem. It is about con- nectivity that favours strategic markets rather than pure vol- ume. It is about product diversi- fication so that Malta competes on culture, learning, wellness, gastronomy, and business, not only on entertainment. It is about investing in public spaces, urban quality, and infrastruc- ture so that higher-value visitors see Malta as worth returning to. It is about building winter de- mand so that hotels, workers, and operators are not locked in- to a brutal seasonal cycle. The data already points to the opportunity. Business travel has risen. Holiday travel dominates growth, but business visitors are also increasing. Expenditure per capita is rising in nominal terms. Occupancy rates across three-, four-, and five-star categories have all improved year-on-year in Q2 2025. The system is not deteriorating. It is evolving. The question is whether policy and strategy will evolve with it. Guiding the transition A serious debate on Malta's tourism strategy must there- fore move beyond headlines and moral panics. It must be grounded in time series anal- ysis, ecosystem thinking, and structural understanding. The industry is not frozen in a "low quality" state. It is in motion. It has rebuilt after collapse. It has expanded rapidly. It is now at a crossroads where choices on connectivity, product, season- ality, and infrastructure will de- termine whether the next phase is merely more volume or a gen- uine shift toward sustainable quality. We do ourselves a disservice when we reduce this complexity to simplistic claims based sole- ly on headline figures. The data tells a more interesting story. It tells the story of a sector that survived a systemic shock, reconnected itself to the world, absorbed new capacity, attracted new segments, and is now strug- gling with the growing pains of success. That is transition. The real challenge is whether we have the intellectual honesty and strategic maturity to guide that transition wisely. Robert Abela Prime Minister A new chapter for a historic region HARBOURS are more than wa- terfronts. They are where a na- tion's identity takes shape. For centuries, the Grand Harbour has been our gateway to the world—a place of trade, work, and opportunity. This week, through the launch of the Grand Harbour revival plan, we placed it at the threshold of a new chap- ter—one that will transform underused waterfront land into a world-class harbour city that celebrates the past while shaping a sustainable future for a historic region. At the core of this massive regeneration project are the people, who will enjoy the best spaces and contribute value and quality to zones and sites that, for years, have needed at- tention. I have always believed that Marsa has enormous poten- tial to become one of the most beautiful zones in Malta. That is what the people who live in Marsa deserve, and that is what we will give them. Others gave the Grand Harbour area black dust and pollution. My gov- ernment will transform it into a quality investment area that creates wealth for all. In Marsa, we have already de- livered decisive, life-changing improvements for residents, notably through the closure of the Marsa power station and by addressing the disproportion- ate burden of irregular immi- gration with the closure of the Marsa open centre. The Grand Harbour revival plan will take this transformation to the next level. The redevelopment of this ar- ea, the revitalisation of Marsa, and the creation of new gar- dens in Floriana are about un- locking the economic, social, and environmental potential of this area, transforming one of our country's most valuable as- sets into a world-class harbour that works for today while be- longing to tomorrow. This new, exciting chapter in the history of Malta is about to commence. It is a long-term in- vestment programme that will deliver sustainable workplaces, public spaces, homes, and cul- tural attractions that reconnect people with the Grand Har- bour's history. We have worked in close col- laboration with international design firm Chapman Taylor, known for global projects such as The Mall of Qatar and Me- diaCityUK in Manchester, who have assisted us in planning and visualising the revival of this location. In Marsa, a People's Marina shall be created with prome- nades, public squares and low- rise units adjacent to marine facilities. Meanwhile, the Flo- riana Bastion shall be trans- formed into a major garden and a public park. Hundreds of new careers shall be created through the setting up of modern offices, and by attracting creative industries to this rejuvenated area. The master-planners have also en- visaged for this area to house a hotel, authentic restaurants, and retail outlets—all inspired by the bastion-style architec- ture. Custom House shall be adapt- ed to house an internation- al-standard arts and perform- ative venue, whilst the grain silos too shall house a new arts venue. The current derelict Po- tato Sheds shall be refurbished to include a public prome- nade and a waterside food hall. Bridge Wharf and Lighters Wharf shall be restored too. The latter housing a new mari- na clubhouse with a local sail- ing focus. The Floriana Bastions shall include gardens, terraces, and enhanced access between Val- letta and the harbour's edge. In the Labour Party's elec- toral manifesto, we promised that this government would give our families more open green spaces and new spaces where they can spend quality time together. Last year, we announced that Manoel Island, White Rocks and Fort Camp- bell would be given back to the people; at the beginning of this new year, we are now giving the Grand Harbour area, especially Marsa and Floriana, the dignity that their people deserve. I want the Grand Harbour ar- ea to be a jewel for all Maltese people, a place where families raise their children, new ca- reers are created, green spaces flourish, local artists display their talents, families spend their free time, children play, and young people socialise in a safe environment. This is what strong leader- ship in favour of families is about. The Grand Harbour re- vival plan complements Malta Vision 2050, to be launched in the coming days, which is based on sustainable develop- ment, quality of life, improved connectivity, innovation, and economic resilience. The revival plan for this unique project follows a con- sultation process which will now be further expanded in the next six weeks. A pre-market consultation on the first phase of the project that encompass- es the area of the former power station, will then follow. The Grand Harbour revival strategy is Malta's most ambi- tious transformation in dec- ades. In government, we can change lives and through this huge, unprecedented regener- ation project, we will, for the better. Malta's strong economy enables it. This unprecedented invest- ment in favour of Maltese families can only be sustained through a strong economy, which remains the guarantee for continued social progress and a better quality of life. This unprecedented investment in favour of Maltese families can only be sustained through a strong economy, which remains the guarantee for continued social progress and a better quality of life