Maltese family invests €10 million in Buġibba hotel as tourism shifts to quality
The Agius family opens a 4-star Innside by Meliá hotel in Buġibba, backing the government's quality tourism drive with a €10 million bet.
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela officially inaugurated the 4-star Innside by Meliá hotel in Buġibba on Thursday. The hotel, built and owned by the Maltese Agius family, represents an investment of more than €10 million.
The property has 86 rooms and employs around 50 people. It sits in a locality that has seen significant public investment in recent years, including a full redesign of Buġibba Square, surrounding roads and the promenade.
Dr Abela said the project shows that investors believe in a tourism product based on comfort, quality and excellence. He noted that the Agius family fully developed the hotel themselves, and that the investment reflects confidence in St Paul’s Bay from both local and international players.
“Because we believe in quality, we implemented a project that gave a completely new appearance to the heart of Buġibba, an investment that this tourist locality had not seen for many years,” the Prime Minister said.
The opening comes as Malta’s tourism numbers hit new highs. Almost 1.7 million tourists visited between January and May, spending nearly €1.4 billion, according to NSO figures cited by the Prime Minister.
But the government is also tightening controls. Dr Abela referred to recently introduced on-the-spot fines for inappropriate public behaviour and legislation that allows for the removal of tourists who receive fines exceeding €200. He said this shows how seriously the government is taking public order, especially in high-traffic tourist areas.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a new fast ferry service launched in May connecting Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo, describing it as part of broader transport improvements that support quality tourism.
For the Agius family, the bet is that Buġibba’s regeneration and the government’s enforcement push will attract higher-spending visitors. The hotel’s success will depend on whether those policies deliver.
Dr Abela thanked the Agius family for their confidence in Malta’s economy and pledged continued government support for investors who place quality at the centre of their operations.