Is tourism in Malta a blessing or a curse?

In the year of 2024, Malta welcomed over 3.5 million tourists onto the island (as reported by Malta Independent) , which is equivalent to over seven times its resident population of 575,000. While this rise in tourism fuels the local economy, it also turns public services, such as transport, into a hassle for locals.

Malta’s rich history, natural beauty, and vibrant nightlife make it a prime holiday destination. When a recent visitor reflects on their trip on Reddit they say

“There’s something about Malta that’s different … The people are lovely, the food is good (and cheap!), there’s beautiful beaches, countryside, amazing hiking and the most unique architecture I’ve ever seen. … Even though it was only a vacation, it felt like Malta became our second home.”

Tourism plays a central role in Malta’s economy, driving job creation and contributing significantly to its growing Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to VisitMalta, tourism contributes to 30  percent of GDP. Tourism also promotes Maltese culture on a global stage fostering cultural awareness and appreciation. According to the Times of Malta “Tourism remains a vital engine for Malta’s economic and cultural wellbeing. In 2024, the sector injected over €3.3 billion into the economy and supported more than one in four jobs”. Despite these clear benefits, its rapid growth is creating a strain on society.

As reported by the Malta Independent, Professor George Cassar,  associate professor at the University of Malta’s Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture said that; “It is evident that Malta is running out of space.”

Malta is a 316 km² island that experiences millions of tourists and has been, according to World Population Review, been listed as the eighth most overcrowded destination worldwide. One of the main issues with increasing tourists is the strain it has on public services and resources available. During peak season in summer, public services such as transport and even hospitals are hard to navigate around due to the increased number of people. Beaches, shops and famous night life locations such as Paceville become a locals nightmare to navigate through. Due to this locals are forced to adapt their daily routine around tourists movements. Another rising issue is pollution and waste, according to Malta Today, tourists generate twice as much waste as locals which increases the pressure on public waste services.

While tourism can significantly promote cultural awareness and appreciation, it can also lead to the commercialization and superficialization of traditional practices. Sociologist Mario Vassallo criticized how religious ceremonies, like Good Friday processions, were increasingly turned into tourist spectacles where he claims that they were “produced and performed to order”, thereby diluting spiritual significance. According to Tourism Geographies, research into handicraft production in Malta showed that traditional crafts were increasingly commercialized and repackaged for tourist consumption, often losing their authenticity and becoming just souvenirs.

Many locations around Malta have suffered damage due to the increased tourist activity. One of them is Cominos Blue lagoon. Known for its crystal clear waters, it has become one of the most iconic and instagramable summer locations in Malta. According to Times of Malta, up to 10,000 visitors arrive on a daily basis. However, all this popularity has caused significant disturbances, noise and environmental damage . According to a report by The Sun, Comino is currently experiencing a rodent outbreak due to the increased amount of garbage and litter. A rising issue with these rodents is that they are a critical threat to bird populations as they feed on the birds’ newly laid eggs.

In residential areas such as St Julians, short-let rentals have welcomed countless tourists which commonly lead to disturbing behaviours which sometimes lead to unsafe situations. According to Travel And Tour , Malta’s residents that live near these rentals face harassment when they speak out against the tourists for their disturbances. During the summer of 2025. As reported by Lovin Malta, a well known Italian influencer visited Malta and documented his stay across his social media channels. His vlog portrayed risky stunts, crane climbing and loud parties going against clear safety measures.

Malta has always held its charm through its quiet villages and undisturbed streets. As such locations lose their peace and quiet to aspects such as aggressive behavior exhibited on the streets by intoxicated tourists, according to Malta Independent,  locals report feeling disturbed and sidelined. Many environmental and political groups have spoken out on this situation,  the Green Party (ADPD) is one of them. According to The Times of Malta, The party warned that unchecked tourism is a threat to local identity and demanded regulations on short term rentals.  As reported by Lovin Malta, former foreign minister Evarist Bartolo also expresses concern and blames low quality tourism for or disturbances, harassment, and unfair use of housing that was intended for residents.

“I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that thousands are living in hell because of noise, sleepless nights, football games in the middle of the night, rubbish piling up on pavements and streets, being threatened when they speak up, sexual harassment as soon as they step outside, drug use, drunk youths in the streets and vandalism,” Bartolo wrote. 

Given the above issues that have arisen, several strategies have come to surface. One of them is controlling visitor numbers to prevent over tourism. According to the Times of Malta, authorities have pledged to have a 5,000 (From 10,000) person maximum a day for  Comino to ease environmental damage. Another method to prevent environmental degradation is one that’s taking place in Malta’s capital Valletta. As reported by Reuters, Plans have been put in place to cut emissions from cruise ships and other vehicles aiming for a net-zero by 2030. Economic experts also suggest taxing tourists more, this will discourage low budget travellers and help fund public services. 

Malta’s tourism industry is a double edged sword, while the industry provides clear economic gain through job sustaining and contributing significantly to a rise in GDP it also portrays threats such as environmental degradation and strain on local resources and infrastructure. 

Key takeaways: 

•  In 2024, Malta hosted over 3.5 million tourists, more than 7 times its population.
• Overcrowding during peak seasons is making transport, hospitals, and public spaces difficult to access for locals.
• Sites like Comino’s Blue Lagoon are being harmed by mass tourism, with issues like pollution and litter.
• Authorities and environmental groups are pushing for measures like visitor caps, higher tourist taxes, and sustainable transport plans to control the negative impacts.