Classification of tourist accommodation

New regulations are in force which set classification standards for existing and approved tourist accommodation, the Malta Tourism Authority said yesterday.

The new standards are based on the "star-rating" system and classify hotels under four categories, aparthotels and tourist villages in three categories, guesthouses in two categories, and hostels in one category.

The MTA said that tourism accommodation establishments were bound to comply with the compulsory requirements for their category and that failure to do so would make them liable to fines and other penalties.