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James Debono
The restriction on closing times for clubs discourages foreign clubbers from visiting Malta, despite its vast potential in the clubbing business, according to top UK promoters and DJs.
Closing times are expected to be on the agenda at government Cabinet level in the near future, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture told MaltaToday, who said it would not be “ethical” to express any opinions on the matter before any discussions take place.
DJ Jonty Scrufff, who runs a bi-weekly show at London’s Ministry of Sound and a press agency promoting worldwide clubbing events, told MaltaToday he does not even consider Malta a clubbing destination, despite its major advantages over other destinations – namely a more favourable climate.
“Clubbers are travelling all over the world, even in the winter months. Even conservative Muslim countries like Egypt and Dubai have tapped this market in the winter months.”
Setting the tune in major clubbing sports all over Europe, including the Roxy in the Czech Republic, Madrid’s Bastion club and Dama de Ferro at Rio’s Ipanema Beach, DJ Jonty says Malta is definitely losing out as clubbers are not keen on visiting a country where clubs close down at 4:00 am in the morning when it’s still dark.
“As far as safety goes, it makes more sense to end the party after sunrise, when it’s no longer dark and when clubbers would have cooled off after a night of partying,” Scrufff said.
John Crane of Kinky Malinki fame, promoters for top venues such as Pacha in London, says the island could rival other destinations if it relaxes its closing time restrictions.
Kinky Malinki’s marketing is directed towards upmarket clubbers at UK and other international venues. “Due to the way Malta is portrayed in the UK, I was always under the impression that Malta was a destination for old people,” Crane says.
But after teaming up with local promoter Jamie Mercieca he was surprised by the vibrant clubbing scene on the island. Crane now says the sector has a good potential, mostly in the summer months but also for short weekend clubbing breaks in winter.
“Clubs in Malta could be more appealing than those in Ibiza, as they offer a good quality product at a lower cost. Drinks and admission fees are more affordable in Malta than in Ibiza.”
But Crane says closing time restrictions are a major disincentive for getting UK clubbers over to Malta. “The events that I run in venues like Pasha start at 10.00pm lasting till 6.00am with after-hours parties continuing in the morning. Being used to non-stop partying, these clubbers cannot understand why parties are stopped at 4.00 am in Malta,” Crane says. “Clubbers like to travel to destinations like Ibiza where they can spend the day relaxing on the beach after partying all night long.”
Mercieca says Malta’s mild winter climate would make the island even more competitive than destinations like Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania which are already tapping this market successfully. “During the winter, charter flights can be organised for clubbers attending events in Malta. If restrictions on closing times are lifted, there is a vast potential for this sector,” Mercieca says.
With top rock acts still too expensive to get to Malta, more economical options exist even with top internationals DJs like Sacha, whose following runs across the international clubbing scene.
Mercieca however says he doesn’t want Malta to become another Ibiza. “Clubbing should be considered as one of the many niches in our bid to diversify the tourist product.”
In the midst of the current uproar on open bars, parties and the drinking age, a relaxation of opening hours could be seen as being out of tune with public opinion.
But Mercieca finds no contradiction in relaxing regulations on opening hours while clamping down on the sale of alcohol to minors and greater controls on open bars. “I am only interested in promoting events for adults who buy their own drinks from the bar. While minors should be fully protected, adults should be free to party all night long.”
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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