Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545608
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JUNE 2026 NEWS 158 guesthouses 5,235 rooms approved 3,132 new hotel rooms approved in 62 different applications for new SINCE the beginning of 2024, the Planning Authority has approved 220 tourism accommodation es- tablishments, comprising 62 ho- tels and 158 guesthouses, most of which are still under construction. This emerges from information requested by MaltaToday and provided by the Planning Au- thority. Moreover, a MaltaToday analysis of the data shows that these newly approved tourist es- tablishments will result in 5,235 new rooms, comprising 3,132 new hotel rooms and 2,103 new rooms in guest houses. Guest houses ac- count for 40% of the new rooms approved in the past two and a half years. According to National Statistics Office figures, Malta had 142 active hotels and 154 active guesthouses and hostels in De- cember 2023. Based on approvals since 2024, guesthouses are set to increase by around 103%—more than double—while hotel num- bers are set to grow by 44%. Hotel clustering Overall, Planning Authority data from January 2024 to May 2026 shows a sector both intensifying in localities with a high tourist density like St Julian's, Sliema and Valletta and also dispersing in less touristic localities, where more guest houses are being approved. A locality breakdown shows St Julian's topping the list with 36 new tourist establishments com- prising 14 new guest houses and 22 new hotels, which are set to result in 1,331 new tourist accom- modation rooms. Sliema comes second with 34 new tourist establishments com- prising 28 guest houses and six new hotels, which together are set to provide 624 new rooms. Together, these two localities ac- count for 38% of all new hotel and guest rooms approved since the start of 2024. Moreover, this tour- ist cluster is also expanding into Gżira and Msida, which has seen the approval of five guest houses and two new hotels in the same period. The capital city Valletta has also seen the approval of 24 tourist establishments, including 17 guest houses and seven ho- tels that will provide 447 tourist rooms. Not surprisingly, St Julian's, which includes Paceville, re- corded the most hotel approvals (22), followed by Valletta (7) and Sliema (6), confirming continued clustering in established tourism zones. St Paul's Bay has also seen the approval of three large hotels including the 167-room hotel ap- proved instead of the Empire Cin- ema. Guesthouses sprouting everywhere Guesthouses, which unlike ho- tels, can be approved in residential areas under planning policy, show a wider spread. Sliema leads with 28 approvals, followed by Valletta (17) and St Julian's (14). But Sig- nificant numbers also appear in Bormla (9), Rabat (9), Gżira (8), Floriana (7), Birgu (7), Victoria (6), Senglea (5) and Msida (5). Marsaxlokk has seen the approval of three hotels and three guest- houses. In Gozo, most guesthous- es were approved in Victoria (6), Xagħra (4) and Qala (3). In con- 0 2 4 6 8 10 0 0.10K 0.20K 0.30K 0.40K HOTEL Total approved Total rooms Source: Planning Authority *Figures include both hotels JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Who let the (big cat) out? THE escape of a panther cub on the streets of Bormla is still being investigated by authorities more than four months after the incident. In reply to questions by MaltaToday, a police spokesperson said inves- tigations are still ongoing. Questions on whether the big cat is still in its origi- nal owner's custody, and whether charges will be brought against the owner remain unanswered. In February, images and videos published online showed the black pan- ther cub dropping from a seemingly high place into the street below. The ani- mal can be seen regaining its balance, before running into a side street. The Animal Welfare Di- rectorate is also helping in investigations on the case. A spokesperson for the Animal Rights Minis- try would not comment on the matter, citing the on- going investigation. "The investigation was conducted by the Malta Police Force, with assis- tance from the Animal Welfare Directorate as re- quested during the course of the investigation. Any information regarding the status, outcome, or actions taken as a result of the in- vestigation falls under the remit of the Malta Police Force. The Animal Wel- fare Directorate is there- fore not in a position to comment further on the matter," the spokesperson said. In Malta, keeping big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards and pumas is regulated by the Owning and Keeping of Danger- ous Animals Regulations. These regulations classify big cats as dangerous ani- mals and require them to be registered and kept in facilities that meet strict welfare and safety stand- ards. While some private indi- viduals were allowed to re- tain animals they already owned when the regula- tions were introduced in 2016, new ownership is heavily restricted, and re- cent amendments have strengthened oversight by requiring registration, sterilisation of registered animals, and competency certification for keepers. Breaches of regulations can result in substantial fines and imprisonment. Investigations into the escape of a panther cub in Bormla last February is still being investigated by police and animal welfare authorities KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt A locality breakdown shows St Julian's topping the list with 36 new tourist establishments comprising 14 new guest houses and 22 new hotels, which are set to result in 1,331 new tourist accommodation rooms