Category: Europe
Andrew Agius Muscat, CEO MHRA

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4min570
Following a request earlier this year by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, Ms. Maria Micallef, MCESD Chairperson, convened a MCESD Council meeting focused on disaster preparedness and emergency coordination, bringing together key national authorities and stakeholders. In his intervention, MHRA CEO Andrew Agius Muscat stressed that preparedness must not be viewed as a reaction to […]

Mediterranean ObserverFebruary 28, 2026
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1min591
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) commends the Government of Malta for leading and launching Vision 2050, an important national milestone that reflects collective ambition and responsibility. Vision 2050 is not only a policy framework; it is a celebration of the Maltese people, of all those of goodwill who want to ensure that what […]


1min3690
The European Commission has proposed increasing the application fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from €7 to €20. ETIAS, which will be mandatory for visa-exempt non-EU travellers entering the EU, is designed to enhance security and streamline entry procedures. The fee adjustment reflects inflation since the 2018 adoption of the ETIAS […]


2min3639
On 14 July 2025, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) launched formal proceedings against Trustpilot, citing potential violations of the Italian Consumer Code. The investigation, announced in weekly bulletin no. 27/2025, was prompted by consumer complaints and focuses on whether the platform engages in misleading commercial practices. The AGCM raised several concerns: Company rankings are based […]

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3min9109
Today, the European Multi-sectoral Social Partners released comprehensive guidelines aimed at preventing and addressing third-party violence and harassment (TPVH) in the workplace. This initiative marks a critical advancement in fostering safe, respectful, and supportive work environments, which are particularly vital in customer-facing sectors like hospitality. Why It MattersEnsuring worker safety not only protects employees but […]

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2min9676
The European Commission will be hosting an EUTourism Stakeholder Event on the 27 May. Get informed of the latest policy developments in Brussels, including updates on the future EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, single digital booking & ticketing, multimodal services for seamless travel, EU-funded projects and more! Be inspired by examples from smart tourism destinations and […]

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1min9173
The EU institutions adopted the revision of the Waste Framework Directive. Key elements of the revised text include: 30% per capita reduction in food waste by 2030 from retail, distribution, restaurants, and households, based on the 2021–2023 average; 10% reduction in food waste by 2030 from processing and manufacturing, also benchmarked against the 2021–2023 average; Reduction targets are legally […]

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1min9851
The Council has approved the VAT in the Digital Age package, modernising EU VAT rules to align with the digital economy. The reform, aimed at boosting competitiveness, reducing VAT fraud, and easing administrative burdens, includes a directive, a regulation, and an implementing regulation. Key measures include: fully digital VAT reporting for cross-border B2B transactions by […]


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The Mediterranean Observer is a news portal dedicated to travel tourism, and hospitality in the Mediterranean region. This portal is managed by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, based in the Mediterranean country of Malta.


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