A glance at travel fora will show that an oft-repeated negative comment about the island is that it is generally dirty, especially in places frequented by visitors. Civic pride in the upkeep of our rural and urban environment is not one of our community’s strengths. Cleaning campaigns are often launched as a knee-jerk reaction intended to keep up appearances on the eve of special events involving the visit of some dignitaries. In this case, the VIPs are the tourists who will save Malta’s economy. The government’s cleaning campaign Insebbħu Malta is, of course, a most positive initiative. Street-cleaning, the removal of graffiti, the installation of street furniture in Valletta, replacement of non-functioning lighting in various parts of the island, the cleaning of beaches and the removal of bulky refuse, even of abandoned cars, should help give the island a much-needed facelift at the beginning of a desperately-needed tourist season.