Sliema demands higher fines for disruptive tourists

Malta's hospitality industry and the Sliema Local Council are demanding tougher action against disruptive tourists following violent scenes along the Sliema waterfront linked to organised boat parties. The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has called on the government to substantially increase on-the-spot fines, saying current penalties are too low to deter behaviour that disrupts communities and damages Malta's international reputation.

The call follows a recent incident in which foreign visitors caused a disturbance serious enough to draw police and regulatory intervention. Officers identified twelve individuals and issued €2,000 in combined on-the-spot fines. The Malta Tourism Authority separately ordered the closure of a short-let apartment block where the group had been staying after inspectors found breaches of licensing conditions.

The MHRA welcomed the coordinated response from government officials while maintaining that the episode exposed gaps in the existing enforcement framework. The Sliema Local Council has demanded immediate police reinforcements for the Sliema Ferries area, citing violent brawls and dangerous behaviour triggered repeatedly by open-bar boat parties returning to shore. It acknowledged the efforts of local district officers and Community Police but said those resources are insufficient for crowds of the size involved.

The council called for increased police presence during peak periods and a full review of how boat parties and similar events are permitted and supervised. Public disorder, traffic disruption and anti-social behaviour have affected the Sliema seafront during summer months for several years. "The time for discussing the problem has passed. Effective and decisive action must now be taken before a more serious incident occurs," the council said.