Tourist information on the ground

Having just returned from a third visit to Malta, and thoroughly enjoying The Times, in particular the letters, I felt I could be permitted to comment on the experience.

Where is the promotion of tourism on the ground in Valletta? From a previous visit we found the tourist office uninviting, bereft of any active information and rather dismal. On this visit there seemed to be little change and by March 24 it was being stripped out due to the controversial clearance of the occupants of all the premises to make way for the new developments in Freedom Square. At some later date, there were scrawled notes directing enquiries to Merchant Street. But why were there no notices or signs at this location proclaiming the re-location?

Tourism is an important part of the economy and needs to be promoted actively, both locally and abroad. It does not end when the tourist comes to the country; that is the beginning.

The Times published items during our stay referring to the number of cruise ships expected this year and the anchorage at Xlendi but, on March 26, passengers from a ship in the harbour were milling about the bus station wondering where to get a bus back to the quay. To the visitor, the bus station is chaos but that is part of its attraction. Would the great bus service grind to a halt if there were signs indicating which bus went to which main tourist attraction?

Malta is a great destination for the visitor but it would appear that its promotion locally is left to commercial operators such as harbour cruises and visits to Gozo when there is so much more for the intrepid visitor.

We indulged in several excellent local wines. But why weren't there visits to vineyards and why were the wine vaults closed?