ITS land earmarked for development

Efforts are underwat to identify a suitable area for the relocation of the ITS as area is being considered by the government as a prime site for the location of a new hotel development

The land occupied by the Institute of Tourism Studies in St George’s Bay is actively being considered by the government as a prime site for the location of a new hotel development.

MaltaToday understands that efforts are underway to identify a suitable area for the relocation of the ITS, which was established in 1987, before the site is released for a possible expression of interest.

Hotelier Silvio Debono, of the Seabank Hotel in Mellieha, denied rumours that he was interested in developing a hotel on the site of the ITS.

As the Maltese franchisee of Hard Rock Café, Debono is seeking land to develop a Hard Rock Hotel, having stated in June that the Seabank Group was “looking with the government to see where the available land is.”

“I am interested in opening a five-star hotel and I am waiting for calls of expressions of interest issued by the government on various sites, to find a site for this new hotel,” Debono told MaltaToday.

Debono however denied having discussed the land occupied by the ITS. “I will be interested in any site identified by the government which is issued in a call for expressions of interest.”

MaltaToday also approached a member of the Corinthia Group, in reference to claims by employees that the international hotel chain – whose Corinthia San Gorg is adjacent to the ITS site – was interested in the site.

“These are still early days. It would make sense that an area like this would be of interest to the group due to its proximity. But this is something that would take years to consider,” the source said.

The St George’s Bay area is set for a major facelift with the former Villa Rosa complex being taken up by developers Garnet Investments to construct an underground car park for 1,195 cars, luxury apartments, a boutique hotel, 15 villas, offices, and commercial outlets of different types, which will include the abandoned Moynihan House, formerly part of the British garrison that made up St George’s Bay and Pembroke.

The Seabank Group is also actively interested in a land reclamation project worth some €150 million, with Debono saying he was considering China in his search for an international partner.

21 land reclamation proposals are currently being assessed by a government committee evaluating a new series of mega-projects that range from a motor sport racing track, to floating villages, business centres and hotel resorts.

Bidders for land reclamation projects have signed a confidentiality agreement in which they acknowledge the government’s discretion as to whether or not it issues a competitive tender after the initial bids are analysed by the Government Property Division.
The construction of an artificial island along the coast road opposite Qalet Marku is one of the preferred options among the 21 land reclamation proposals made.

Together with an international expression of interest for the former White Rocks complex, offering up 449,885 square metres of land for development, the government is seeking to develop the as yet untouched eastern coastline into an unbroken line of brand new property developments.