Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/416739
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2014 40 THIS WEEK Recognising and promoting quality restaurants RESTAURANT owners and opera- tors will soon have the opportunity to get their business recognised for their high quality standards. Food, service and hospitality, together their overall restaurant environ- ment, will be covered by this na- tional recognition scheme making it possible for both tourists and lo- cals to make an informed decision about the best places to eat across the Maltese Islands. This initiative, better known as the Quality Assured seal, was re- cently launched by the Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis and the Malta Tourism Authority CEO Paul Bugeja. The launch was also followed by a well-attended information session in Gozo as well as an information campaign on local media. Consequently the MTA has started receiving applications from all styles and types of restaurants in Malta and Gozo, including fine dining, specialty and bistro style restaurants. Applications must reach the MTA by the end Novem- ber 2014. Part of the assessment will be carried out through a mystery- guest visit, whilst an announced visit will cover the less visible, but important, criteria. The criteria were developed following exten- sive research and consultation with the MHRA, the industry and Visit Scotland. The latter were also involved in the training of the mys- tery guests to ensure a professional and uniform way of carrying out the mystery guest visits. This certification, which is ad- ministered by the Quality and In- dustry HR Unit within the MTA, will be valid for a two-year period and is renewable against a small fee which will cover the cost of the annual mystery guest visits and au- dit. These unannounced visits will offer expert independent advice including clear and constructive feedback on the dining experience. Furthermore those restaurants which obtain the QA Seal will benefit from extensive PR through a promotional campaign on local media, a dedicated website and Facebook page, exposure on the Visitmalta websites, exposure at the MTA's Tourist Information Offices with the possibilit y of a booklet highlighting the qualit y assured restaurants and more. For more information on QA seal kindly contact the Quality and In- dustry HR unit on 22915272 or qual- ityassured@visitmalta.com or visit www.mta.com.mt/quality-seal Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis