Latest news with #IanBorg
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Small European island 3 hours from the UK 'overrun' with 10,000 tourists a day
The small island located a 20-minute ferry ride from the Maltese mainland is being swamped by tourists visiting the famous Blue Lagoon With its idyllic Mediterranean climate, rich history spanning more than 7,000 years, and stunning beaches, it's little wonder that this picturesque European island has become a holiday haven. Situated between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta welcomed nearly 3.6 million tourists in 2024 and is expecting even more this year. Just a 20-minute journey from the mainland lies the island of Comino, famous for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon - a natural 1.4 square-mile pool that has become a magnet for tourists. What was once a tranquil destination is now overrun with 10,000 visitors daily, according to Metro, leaving locals increasingly frustrated with the industry that brings "unsustainable" numbers to the area during peak season. In February, Malta's Tourism Minister, Ian Borg, vowed to "clean up" Comino by introducing a capacity cap to prevent commercial boat operators from overwhelming the area. "During July and August, 10,000 people descend on Comino's Blue Lagoon every day, and that's too many," the minister stated, according to The Times of Malta. He noted that the island could not "keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space," adding that the "plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half". Comino, with its mere two permanent residents, is not just a picturesque getaway but also a Natura 2000 marine protected area and an Important Bird Area (IBA), crucial for the 50 to 80 breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters it supports. Tourism experts have expressed concerns about the impact of overtourism on Comino and proposed potential solutions. Eammon Turley, CEO of MPV Rentals, expressed his full backing for Minister Borg's capacity cap to the Express: "It's a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations and maintain its charm as a destination [in] nature." He warned about the often-overlooked impact of mass tourism: "Most tourists forget that huge crowds have tangible environmental effects- like destroying bird habitats, rodents from the garbage food, and wearing out the very shores and water tourists travelled miles to see in the first place." Turleyalso highlighted the importance of balancing tourism income with sustainability: "Something to consider here, too, is achieving balance between tourism revenue and long-term sustainability," adding that reducing visitor numbers doesn't put off tourists but rather enhances their experience. He added: "Cutting back on numbers doesn't deter tourists-it makes it smarter. I always tell tourists to get out and visit more than the biggest attractions first." Turleyencouraged visitors to explore beyond the well-trodden paths: "Malta has got so many other lovely things, like little coves, promenades, and culture that can give a fuller and calmer experience. Comino's not just about the Blue Lagoon - it's about the whole island. A more even distribution of visitors across different areas and times would be a great help in decongesting the areas." Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Walking Tours, echoed: "Even with the 10,000 tourists per day, most areas of the island are under-visited. Zejtun, for example, is one of Malta's oldest towns. Yet it is ignored because it is inland and not on cruise routes. "Last month, one of our Maltese guides cancelled a walking tour in Valletta because the streets were too congested. The guide couldn't show our clients around well enough to give them a meaningful experience without interference. The overstrain is slowly starting to collapse cultural experiences, beating the point of tourism. "I believe the solution should be better flow management. Nudge travellers to the ignored locations so tourists spread out and stay longer. Capping daily numbers without diversifying visitors' experience might turn Malta into a gated attraction." Meanwhile, Roisin Miller, who runs the travel blog roabouttown, recounted her visit to Malta from three years past and described the Blue Lagoon as "so busy we couldn't find a place to sit and could barely find somewhere to bob in the water". She expressed her lack of surprise at Minister Borg's measures, saying: "It will be sad for some tourists, but the rocks and area need protecting. Plus it was not actually enjoyable as a tourist [...] I do think more needs to be done to stop overtourism." Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cast a spotlight on the contentious approval of a substantial hotel set to be constructed on the island in the coming years. "Not only [is] the construction is highly disputed but it also doesn't solve the issue of curbing mass tourism in the meantime," she remarked. Heading towards luxury and exclusivity, the brand-new Six Senses Comino is set to welcome its first guests in 2027. Developed by HV Hospitality, under the wing of Hili Ventures, and to be overseen by the opulent hotel brand Six Senses—as stated by European Spa Magazine—the retreat promises to sprawl across two island bays, boasting 71 suites, 19 retreats, and an indulgent spa. Maltese-American Liz Delia of Zest for Latitudes reflected on the island's tourist density, observing that while Malta on the whole hasn't seemed more packed than other Mediterranean hotspots, Comino remains a "clear exception", with environmental concerns around the iconic Blue Lagoon looming large. "When we were there in 2023, we actually skipped Comino altogether and spent time instead exploring quieter bays and coves on Gozo and the main island. Comino is undeniably stunning, but it's hard to enjoy when it's packed with people. "That's also what I suggest to my readers: if they're set on going, try to visit in the shoulder season - May, September, or even October. Otherwise, there are plenty of equally gorgeous (and more peaceful) alternatives."
Libya Review
13-06-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Belgassem Haftar Discusses Malta's Role in Libya's Reconstruction Projects
Belgassem Haftar, Director General of the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund, held official talks in Valletta with Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ian Borg, as well as other senior officials. The discussions focused on Malta's potential contribution to reconstruction efforts in Libya and economic partnership opportunities. According to a statement published on the Fund's official Facebook page on Friday, the meetings explored cooperation between Libya and Malta in the fields of development and reconstruction. The talks also addressed prospects for Maltese companies to take part in projects overseen by the Fund. Deputy Prime Minister Borg expressed Malta's growing interest in the Libyan market. He affirmed his government's readiness to facilitate Maltese business operations in Libya and announced plans to dispatch an official delegation of entrepreneurs to identify investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Belgassem Haftar welcomed Malta's supportive stance and underscored the importance of expanding international partnerships to accelerate Libya's reconstruction process. He reiterated the need for increased involvement of foreign companies in rebuilding Libya's infrastructure. The talks come as the Libyan Reconstruction and Development Fund seeks to attract foreign expertise and investment to aid in national recovery efforts following years of conflict and division. Malta, a close Mediterranean neighbour of Libya, has historically maintained strong commercial ties with Tripoli and is now positioning itself to play a key role in the country's rebuilding phase. Tags: Belgassem HaftarIan BorglibyaMaltaReconstruction
Al Etihad
25-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE, Malta hold first round of Joint Committee meetings in Abu Dhabi
26 Apr 2025 00:38 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) hosted the first round of the UAE-Malta Joint Committee in Abu Dhabi, with the meeting co-chaired by Ahmed bin Ali AlSayegh, Minister of State, and Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Malta. The session also included the participation of senior officials from both focused on enhancing bilateral partnerships in key strategic sectors, including investment, digital economy, agriculture, e-government services, culture, renewable energy and climate change, healthcare and pharmaceutical technologies in space, education and higher education, and the tourism sector. The two sides explored additional areas of collaboration including the exchange of best practices in combating the financing of terrorism, judicial cooperation, cybersecurity and coordination on both bilateral and multilateral the session, AlSayegh praised the solid and evolving relationship between the UAE and Malta, emphasising the countries' mutual cooperation across various stated: "The commencement of the first session of the UAE-Malta Joint Committee reflects our mutual commitment to enhance bilateral relations and extend them to incorporate additional areas of common interest."The session also explored innovative strategies to enhance bilateral trade further and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors between both nations, aiming to advance and identify new avenues for the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving sustainable economic development and aligning efforts toward a shared vision of his part, Dr. Borg expressed Malta's keenness to bolster economic ties and to expand cooperation with the UAE in both traditional and emerging session concluded with the official signing of the minutes of the Joint Committee, marking a pivotal step in advancing the UAE-Malta partnership.
Al Etihad
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Deputy Prime Minister of Malta visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
23 Apr 2025 14:56 ABU DHABI (WAM) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta, Dr. Ian Borg, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of Malta to the UAE, Maria Camilleri Calleja, along with an official the tour, Dr. Borg and the delegation explored the mosque's halls and courtyards, learning about its message of cultural openness, coexistence, and tolerance—values inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father. The delegation was also briefed on the role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in promoting Islamic culture and fostering cross-cultural were introduced to the mosque's architectural history and unique architectural details, and explored its extensive collection of artworks and artefacts, demonstrating Islamic civilisation's artistic and architectural the end of the visit, Dr. Borg was presented with a copy of the centre's latest publication, 'Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace.' The book features a visual journey highlighting the mosque's architectural magnificence through award-winning photographs from the "Spaces of Light" photography Award.
