Latest news with #Backhouse
BBC News
17-03-2025
- BBC News
A second chance for Malta's paradise island turned 'hell on Earth'
The tiny Mediterranean paradise of Comino has long been overrun by tourists, many lured by social media to photograph its iconic Blue Lagoon. Now, the island is fighting back. Sitting in a cafe in Marfa Bay, Malta, Colin Backhouse gazes out at a tiny landmass on the horizon: the 3km-by-5km islet of Comino, a sun-baked slab of rock surrounded by a shimmering sea that shifts from deep blue to bright turquoise. Once a near-empty haven, today it is one of the most contested tourist destinations in the Maltese archipelago. With more than 51,000 followers on his popular Facebook page, Malta Holiday Experiences, Backhouse dedicates his time to recommending the best spots to explore across the Maltese Islands. But there's one place he refuses to endorse. "It's wonderful at this time of year," he says, nodding toward the car-free islet located between Malta and Gozo. "But in summer? You couldn't pay me to go near it. It's hell on Earth." Luring tens of thousands of visitors annually from across the globe, Comino's Blue Lagoon is a photographer's dream and one of the Mediterranean's most iconic destinations. The bay's vivid hue, caused by sunlight reflecting off the white limestone seabed, sparkles under the Mediterranean sun, making it a perfect subject for stunning photos. In the December to February low season, the bay's waters remain barely disturbed, except for the gentle ripple of a landing gull. The shoreline is silent, the coastline untouched. But summer tells a different story. Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds jostle for space, litter spills from overflowing bins and tangles in trampled rock rose shrubs, while gas-guzzling powerboats blast music and leave behind a trail of environmental damage. Backhouse remembers a time when Comino felt like a secluded escape. "I first visited in 1980. Back then, you could have the whole place to yourself. Unfortunately, I've seen first-hand the destruction over the decades. I really don't know why people bother anymore." He's not alone in his sentiment. Frustration over Comino's overtourism has been growing for years, with some disillusioned visitors going as far as to call the day-trip experience from Malta a "scam". Overcrowded boats, limited amenities and worsening environmental degradation have led to mounting pressure on authorities to act. In response, activists have stepped in. In 2022, a local group called Movimenti Graffiti took matters into their own hands by stripping the island of its deckchairs and sunbeds, protesting what they saw as an exploitation of public space for private profit. Their message was clear: Comino should be protected, not plundered. More like this:• Is this the end of the Mediterranean beach holiday?• The summer that tourism fell apart• Four countries that are actively welcoming travellers The isle's ascent to a dream destination is an interesting one. Having served as a backdrop in films and series such as The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy and even briefly in Game of Thrones, The Blue Lagoon was already a well-known cinematic gem. But social media caused its popularity to soar. Its surreal iridescent waters began attracting travellers from around the world in search of the perfect photo. "It's at the top of many visitors' bucket lists when they come to the Maltese islands," says Rebecca Millo, head of commercial operations at KM Malta, the country's national airline. "Many people just want to go straight there." But change is finally coming. This year, in an effort to curb mass tourism and relieve pressure on the islet, which is a designated Natura 2000 site, Maltese authorities are introducing a daily visitor cap – reducing the number of tour boat day-trippers from 10,000 to 5,000. It's a significant step in the right direction, but for environmental advocates like Mark Sultana, CEO of BirdLife Malta, it's only a partial fix. "Limiting numbers is a good start," he says. "But we need a public sustainability plan that doesn't just focus on crowd control but also on preserving Comino's fragile ecosystem. We are insisting it should have a ticket control system where only a capped number of tickets can be issued each day." Comino's struggles are not unique. Across the Mediterranean, governments are tightening regulations to combat overtourism. Venice has introduced entry fees for day-trippers, while Athens has capped daily visitor numbers to the Acropolis. These shifts signal a broader push towards more sustainable travel. Seasoned Malta tour guide Joanne Gatt hears a recurring complaint from tourists: visiting the tiny isle isn't the experience they signed up for. "They go to Comino expecting paradise and leave disappointed," she says. "Overcrowded, chaotic. Hopefully the cap on visitors will make a real difference." With the new regulations in place, the hope is that Comino can regain some of its lost charm, offering a more enjoyable experience while safeguarding its ecosystem. But some feel the damage is already done. "With so many people wearing it down year after year, I just hope there's something left for future generations to enjoy," Gatt reflects. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
11-03-2025
- The Guardian
New scheme to offer campers unprecedented access to wild spaces across Britain
Campers looking for a back-to-nature experience this summer will be able to wild camp on land that was previously off-limits across Britain thanks to an initiative launched by camping booking platform CampWild and the nature recovery charity Rewilding Britain. The partnership will provide outdoor enthusiasts with access to nature restoration projects that have not previously permitted overnight stays – and campers can get involved in conservation and citizen science activities on-site, too. CampWild co-founder Tom Backhouse said: 'Rewilding Britain is doing extraordinary work to help restore nature. This exciting initiative gives wild campers exclusive access to wild spaces where no one has been allowed to camp before. 'These are some of the most ecologically rich places in the UK, where ecosystems are being restored, landscapes are healing and biodiversity is returning – and those staying can contribute to these efforts.' CampWild members will be able to find out about the rewilding projects on the site – from beaver reintroduction to habitat restoration – before they go. On booking they will receive an interactive map with a species checklist and things to do, such as helping to track biodiversity, monitoring wildlife and removing invasive species. Initially launching with 15 spaces, from Cornwall to Scotland, the plan is to expand to other sites in the Rewilding Britain network. As part of the initiative, £1 from every CampWild membership will be donated to Rewilding Britain. 'Every membership will directly contribute to rewilding efforts, ensuring that the very places we explore continue to thrive for generations to come,' said Backhouse. Among the rewilding sites is Pine Island on a renaturing farm on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Off-grid campers will be able to participate in activities from bracken bashing to deweeding trees (25,000 have been planted on the estate). Other options include Mapperton Wildlands in Dorset, where 404 hectares (1,000 acres) of farmland are being rewilded, and Rewilding Kinkell, a nature restoration project in St Andrews, Scotland. 'Rewilding – the restoration of nature to the point where it can take care of itself – must have people at its heart to succeed, and allowing people space to form a connection to areas undergoing rewilding is a wonderful way to bring them on this exciting journey with nature,' said Sara King of Rewilding Britain. 'It's also an amazing opportunity to experience the astounding benefits rewilding can bring to our health and wellbeing, and to witness first-hand what reinstating natural processes, restoring ecosystems and letting nature lead can achieve.' Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Set up in 2023 by Backhouse and Alex Clasper, CampWild aims to open up responsible access to nature and encourage people to go off-grid, connecting campers with landowners willing to let people stay, and building an online community. It gives one person or small group at a time the chance to legally wild camp for up to 48 hours in landscapes ranging from ancient woodlands to riverside meadows (and have the space all to themselves). Members have access to almost 200 sites across the UK and agree to a code of conduct. The new partnership takes things one step further, combining recreation and nature conservation, and allowing visitors to witness – and get involved in – nature's resurgence first-hand. 'These ReWild Spaces represent a new era for responsible outdoor recreation, bridging the gap between adventure and conservation,' said Backhouse. 'It's not just about access; it's about connection. The more people connect with nature, the more they value and protect it.' CampWild membership costs £25 a year (for an individual or household); camping spaces from £15 a night. For more information on CampWild and the conservation and adventure partnership with Rewilding Britain, visit
