Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, famous for its historic sites related to a succession of rulers, including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French, and British. It is home to numerous fortresses and megalithic temples dating back to 4000 B.C. Tourism plays an important role in the economy of Malta, contributing to a total of 15 percent of the nation’s GDP. Malta has several tourist attractions showcasing rich history and culture as well as aquatic activities. Medical tourism has also become a popular addition to Malta’s tourism industry in recent years.
In recent years, the country has been facing a series of issues due to its small size, both in terms of area and population. The traces of issues are seen even today and include resources and infrastructure such as water and waste management, especially during the summer months. However, last year there was an 83% increase in the number of tourists in Malta as compared to the pre-pandemic period of 2019, reaching a total of 2.3 million.
The tourism sector earned a total of 2 billion euros in 2022, which reflects the resilience of tourism in Malta, after which their next step is to head towards sustainability. Sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity that will focus on a positive environmental impact and a reduction in emissions from tourist activities.
Malta’s Tourism Strategy 2021-2030
The strategy comes at an important point in Malta’s economic development and the evolution of its tourism industry. The strategy is just in time to focus on a sustainable approach to doing business, balancing economic growth with social and environmental well-being. The competitive pressures of a globalised tourism industry and the need to shift to net zero emissions and recover tourism activity from the pandemic
The strategy is built on the following factors:
to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which will focus on protecting and preserving the important factors of Malta’s visitor economy in the challenges produced by the pandemic.
A longer-term re-evaluation and repositioning to reflect evolutionary forces are needed to meet the positive and negative realities of climate change.
a detailed and committed programme covering various challenges to delivering a stronger, more sustainable, and competitive tourism industry by 2030.
