Latest news with #VisitMalta
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
The Instagram island turning into a rat-infested disaster zone
An island hailed as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean is now a rat-infested, litter-strewn 'disaster' zone in need of urgent intervention, campaigners say. Comino, a tiny limestone outcrop off the coast of Malta, is famed for its turquoise waters, white sand and an idyllic swimming spot known as the Blue Lagoon. But like many parts of the Mediterranean, from the Balearics and Dubrovnik to Santorini and Mykonos, the island is buckling under extreme levels of overtourism. Its popularity has been turbocharged by social media, with its translucent cyan shallows proving irresistible to Instagram aficionados. Comino's profile has also been boosted by its appearance in Hollywood blockbusters, including Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, and The Count of Monte Cristo, which starred Guy Pearce and Richard Harris. During the summer months, huge boats drop off up to 10,000 tourists a day on the island, which is supposed to be a protected nature reserve and a bird sanctuary. Many holidaymakers are drawn by social media images of a lone snorkeler or swimmers floating in the cobalt waters of the bay. Credit: Instagram Visit Malta, the country's tourism authority, says the Blue Lagoon is 'often deemed the most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean. Nestled in the channel between Comino and Cominotto, and easily accessible from both Malta and Gozo, a dip in this spectacular swim spot is an absolute must'. But the reality is very different – hundreds of people jostling for space and packed into the bay as if it were a giant swimming pool. Unscrupulous operators cover every inch of beach with loungers and umbrellas, while blaring loud music from makeshift bars. The bars, known locally as kiosks, serve cocktails in hollowed-out pineapples, which tourists then discard on the ground – providing rich pickings for a burgeoning population of rats. 'It's an unbearable situation. Operators recruit tourists in places like Sliema (on the island of Malta) and bring them to Comino in massive boats. They pour hundreds of tourists onto the tiny beach. It gets crowded beyond what you can imagine,' said Andre Callus from Moviment Graffitti, a civil society organisation that is campaigning for radical change to the way the island is managed. 'For the people of Gozo and Malta, it's a nightmare and they don't go there anymore. Comino has been taken over by intense commercial interests. It is a very small place and yet there are 11 kiosks selling food and drink. They want to extract as much profit as possible from the island,' he added. Moviment Graffitti staged a protest in 2022 in which they forcibly removed deckchairs and umbrellas. The demonstration garnered plenty of attention but ultimately had little effect on the over-exploitation of the island. A study was commissioned several years ago to determine how many visitors the island could support. It has never been released, with NGOs alleging a cover-up by the authorities. 'It's a disaster. When you have 10,000 people on the island, there's noise disturbance, the vegetation gets trampled and there is all the waste that is produced, which is a very big problem,' said Mark Sultana, the chief executive officer of BirdLife Malta, a conservation organisation. Discarded food has led to an explosion in the number of rats on the island and they are having a big impact on native wildlife. 'There's now a rodent infestation. The rats go down the burrows of birds like shearwaters and eat the eggs. They [prey] on lizards as well,' said Mr Sultana. Its location on a migration path between Africa and Europe means that Comino is – or was – rich in birdlife, from raptors such as marsh harriers and ospreys to nightjars, short-eared owls and larks. The letters pages of Malta's newspapers are full of comments about the lamentable state of Comino. The area around the Blue Lagoon looks like 'some run-down favela in some forsaken country,' one reader said recently. Another wrote: 'There has to be a reduction in the number of kiosks and a drastic reduction in the number of visitors.' A third disgruntled local wrote: 'This once beautiful island has been turned into a circus and I wouldn't go near it again if you paid me.' The government of Malta now says it is determined to get to grips with the situation. Ian Borg, the minister for tourism, did not respond to a request for an interview but has told Maltese media that he wants to reduce the number of boats allowed to anchor off the island and halve the number of daily visitors from 10,000 to 5,000. 'We must clean up Comino. We can't keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space. The plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half,' he told The Times of Malta. That will entail making a list of commercial boat operators, checking how many passengers they carry and how many trips they make each day, and then imposing restrictions. There will be a review of the number of bars that are allowed to operate and public lavatories will be installed, said Mr Borg, who is also foreign minister and deputy prime minister. But none of this goes far enough for campaigners. Mr Callus says the big tour boats should be banned altogether and the number of makeshift bars drastically reduced. 'We're not against having two or three kiosks with limits on the food and beverages they can sell. But Comino is a Natura 2000 site (an EU-protected wildlife reserve) which means it should have the highest level of protection.' BirdLife Malta goes one step further and says there should be no bars at all. Instead, food and drink could be brought in on barges each day, which would take the rubbish away each evening. There should also be a cap on the number of tourists allowed to land each day on the island. The chaotic situation on Comino reflects wider issues in Malta, where developers and some politicians have acted with impunity, squeezing the islands for as much money as possible. Environmental degradation and unchecked coastal development are the consequences. 'Malta being small means that politicians are very accessible and come under a lot of pressure from businesses and developers. You can go to a minister's town and have a beer with him. It puts a lot of pressure on politicians,' said Mr Sultana. 'It's good that we are finally understanding that far too many people were being allowed to go to the Blue Lagoon. Courageous decisions need to be taken. The cow has been milked for too long.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Telegraph
The Instagram island turning into a rat-infested disaster zone
An island hailed as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean is now a rat-infested, litter-strewn 'disaster' zone in need of urgent intervention, campaigners say. Comino, a tiny limestone outcrop off the coast of Malta, is famed for its turquoise waters, white sand and an idyllic swimming spot known as the Blue Lagoon. But like many parts of the Mediterranean, from the Balearics and Dubrovnik to Santorini and Mykonos, the island is buckling under extreme levels of overtourism. Its popularity has been turbocharged by social media, with its translucent cyan shallows proving irresistible to Instagram aficionados. Comino's profile has also been boosted by its appearance in Hollywood blockbusters, including Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, and The Count of Monte Cristo, which starred Guy Pearce and Richard Harris. During the summer months, huge boats drop off up to 10,000 tourists a day on the island, which is supposed to be a protected nature reserve and a bird sanctuary. Many holidaymakers are drawn by social media images of a lone snorkeler or swimmers floating in the cobalt waters of the bay. Visit Malta, the country's tourism authority, says the Blue Lagoon is 'often deemed the most beautiful spot in the Mediterranean. Nestled in the channel between Comino and Cominotto, and easily accessible from both Malta and Gozo, a dip in this spectacular swim spot is an absolute must'. But the reality is very different – hundreds of people jostling for space and packed into the bay as if it were a giant swimming pool. Unscrupulous operators cover every inch of beach with loungers and umbrellas, while blaring loud music from makeshift bars. The bars, known locally as kiosks, serve cocktails in hollowed-out pineapples, which tourists then discard on the ground – providing rich pickings for a burgeoning population of rats. 'An unbearable situation' 'It's an unbearable situation. Operators recruit tourists in places like Sliema (on the island of Malta) and bring them to Comino in massive boats. They pour hundreds of tourists onto the tiny beach. It gets crowded beyond what you can imagine,' said Andre Callus from Moviment Graffitti, a civil society organisation that is campaigning for radical change to the way the island is managed. 'For the people of Gozo and Malta, it's a nightmare and they don't go there anymore. Comino has been taken over by intense commercial interests. It is a very small place and yet there are 11 kiosks selling food and drink. They want to extract as much profit as possible from the island,' he added. Moviment Graffitti staged a protest in 2022 in which they forcibly removed deckchairs and umbrellas. The demonstration garnered plenty of attention but ultimately had little effect on the over-exploitation of the island. A study was commissioned several years ago to determine how many visitors the island could support. It has never been released, with NGOs alleging a cover-up by the authorities. 'It's a disaster. When you have 10,000 people on the island, there's noise disturbance, the vegetation gets trampled and there is all the waste that is produced, which is a very big problem,' said Mark Sultana, the chief executive officer of BirdLife Malta, a conservation organisation. Discarded food has led to an explosion in the number of rats on the island and they are having a big impact on native wildlife. 'There's now a rodent infestation. The rats go down the burrows of birds like shearwaters and eat the eggs. They [prey] on lizards as well,' said Mr Sultana. Its location on a migration path between Africa and Europe means that Comino is – or was – rich in birdlife, from raptors such as marsh harriers and ospreys to nightjars, short-eared owls and larks. The letters pages of Malta's newspapers are full of comments about the lamentable state of Comino. 'Island turned circus' The area around the Blue Lagoon looks like 'some run-down favela in some forsaken country,' one reader said recently. Another wrote: 'There has to be a reduction in the number of kiosks and a drastic reduction in the number of visitors.' A third disgruntled local wrote: 'This once beautiful island has been turned into a circus and I wouldn't go near it again if you paid me.' The government of Malta now says it is determined to get to grips with the situation. Ian Borg, the minister for tourism, did not respond to a request for an interview but has told Maltese media that he wants to reduce the number of boats allowed to anchor off the island and halve the number of daily visitors from 10,000 to 5,000. 'We must clean up Comino. We can't keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space. The plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half,' he told The Times of Malta. That will entail making a list of commercial boat operators, checking how many passengers they carry and how many trips they make each day, and then imposing restrictions. There will be a review of the number of bars that are allowed to operate and public lavatories will be installed, said Mr Borg, who is also foreign minister and deputy prime minister. But none of this goes far enough for campaigners. Mr Callus says the big tour boats should be banned altogether and the number of makeshift bars drastically reduced. 'We're not against having two or three kiosks with limits on the food and beverages they can sell. But Comino is a Natura 2000 site (an EU-protected wildlife reserve) which means it should have the highest level of protection.' BirdLife Malta goes one step further and says there should be no bars at all. Instead, food and drink could be brought in on barges each day, which would take the rubbish away each evening. There should also be a cap on the number of tourists allowed to land each day on the island. The chaotic situation on Comino reflects wider issues in Malta, where developers and some politicians have acted with impunity, squeezing the islands for as much money as possible. Environmental degradation and unchecked coastal development are the consequences. 'Malta being small means that politicians are very accessible and come under a lot of pressure from businesses and developers. You can go to a minister's town and have a beer with him. It puts a lot of pressure on politicians,' said Mr Sultana. 'It's good that we are finally understanding that far too many people were being allowed to go to the Blue Lagoon. Courageous decisions need to be taken. The cow has been milked for too long.'
National Geographic
24-03-2025
- National Geographic
From scuba diving to set-jetting—6 ways to explore Malta in 2025
With its Neolithic history and distinctive limestone landscapes, Malta may seem a destination drawn from the past. But if this resilient archipelago has learnt anything from its numerous occupations, it's to adapt. On the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, centuries-old forts and grand historic palaces now sit side-by-side with modern fine dining restaurants and sleek waterfront promenades. Travellers today are beckoned to explore Malta's varied dive sites, hike through otherworldly landscapes or observe the host of international talent set to take the stage at the islands' assorted year-round festivals. With so many experiences to choose from, here are six not to miss. Hike the winding trails in Gozo for spectacular views across the island and out to sea. Photograph by Daniel Cilia 1. Get active in the great outdoors Malta's 300 days of sunshine a year mean the islands are ideal for outdoor activity — even in the winter, crisp, bright days make hiking the craggy coastlines rewarding. Traverse the historic Victoria Lines, a 7.5-mile path spanning the width of Malta and marked by 100-year-old artillery, trenches and forts. More industrious walkers should trek the 27-mile circumference of Gozo, where a coastal path winds through the pretty towns of Xlendi and Marsalforn, as well as the deep gorge of Wied il-Għasri and the limestone arch of Wied il-Mielaħ. Gozo's cliffs also offer climbing routes for all levels, from the novice-friendly slabs of Mġarr ix-Xini to the challenging Wall of Wonders in Zurrieq. Meanwhile, horse-riding, zip-lining and alpaca walking are equally entertaining ways to explore the islands' landscapes. 2. Dive beneath the waves Malta has become one of Europe's most celebrated diving destinations thanks to its fantastic underwater visibility, easily accessible dive sites and numerous shipwrecks. With crystal clear, warm waters almost all year, the islands are just as suited to learners as they are to technical divers looking to explore deep-lying treasures such as HMS Stubborn, a British submarine sunk in 1946. Gozo, in particular, draws divers with its stunning underwater topography and vast caverns — seek out deep caves like Billinghurst Cave on the north coast, the marine life of the famous Blue Hole in Dwejra and the long tunnel through cobalt ocean at the Inland Sea. All divers should add the striking swim-throughs of Comino's Santa Maria Caves to their 'must-dive' list, too. With easily accessible dive sites including numerous shipwrecks, Malta is popular with both beginner and expert divers. Photograph by Visit Malta The streets of Mdina are a must-visit for set-jetters looking for Game of Thrones filming locations. Photograph by Visit Malta 3. Step into history With over 7,000 years of human habitation, Malta, Gozo and Comino are home to some of the world's oldest freestanding man-made structures. Start at the UNESCO-listed Ġgantija Archaeological Park in Gozo, a 5,500-year-old Neolithic temple complex, before heading to Ħaġar Qim, a smaller megalithic site in Malta. Early settlers also created hidden treasures like the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean sanctuary built around 3000 BCE. For more modern history, go to Malta's capital, Valletta, where you can explore the country's military past at the Lascaris War Rooms, Fort St Elmo and the Malta at War Museum, which features an immersive tour of the Second World War bunkers. 4. Discover Hollywood hotspots Film fans will have spotted the honey-coloured streets, soaring cliffs and sparkling lagoons of Malta in numerous big-screen blockbusters. From the still-standing seaside village of Popeye to the Roman streets of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and the globe-trotting action of Munich, Malta's diverse landscapes make it a cinematic chameleon. Embark on a set-jetting road trip to take in the streets of Mdina (Game of Thrones), the robust fortifications of Fort Ricasoli (Troy and Assassin's Creed) and the honeymoon-worthy waters of Mġarr ix-Xini (By the Sea). And keep an eye out for more of Malta in Jurassic Park: Rebirth later this year. Also known as 'The Silent City', Mdina was once Malta's capital and this well-preserved, walled city has history dating back more than 4,000 years. Photograph by Visit Malta 5. Sample Maltese specialities Maltese cuisine is packed with global influences. Over the centuries, a fusion of Arabic, Mediterranean and African flavours have combined here to produce dishes like braġjoli (stuffed beef rolls), bigilla (herb-infused bean paste) and pastizzi (pea- or cheese-filled pastries). Naturally, fish and other seafood feature prominently, too, particularly in the coastal village of Marsaxlokk, where visitors can tuck into crunchy, fried calamari and succulent lamuki, a seasonal white fish. Journey through the specialities by taking a cooking class, wine-tasting or food tour — or at restaurants ranging from hole-in-the-wall pastizzi shops to fine dining institutions. Recently, Le GV in Sliema was awarded its first Michelin star, joining a distinguished line-up of Michelin-starred restaurants in Malta. Simon Rogan's ION Harbour also retained its two Michelin stars. 6. Enjoy one-of-a-kind events Few weekends go by in Malta without a town square being filled with live performances, dancing or music — and 2025 looks set to be no different. In April, athletic travellers should lace up their trainers for Run Gozo's fun series of races, while families can head to Springtime Fest at the National Park of Malta, for food trucks, market stalls and free children's activities. May provides an opportunity to get glammed up for Nabucco at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora on Gozo, while in the summer, festival-lovers can enjoy house music at Abode on the Rock and electronic beats at Glitch. Elsewhere, an International Arts Festival, Carnival, fireworks festival and kite flying festival fill the calendar. Flights to Malta International Airport operate from a number of UK cities. It's easy to hire a car at the airport, but a comprehensive bus system and plenty of affordable taxi options are available, too, as well as efficient ferry services between the islands. For more information, go to This is paid content for Visit Malta. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
