Latest news with #TheTimesofMalta
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."
Libyan Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Malta rescues down 90%, Libya intercepts up 230%
Malta rescues plunge 90% as Libya steps up Malta's involvement in rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean has declined precipitously since 2020, with new analysis showing a 90 per cent drop in operations by the island nation's armed forces alongside a corresponding 230 per cent increase in interceptions by Libyan authorities. The stark figures, compiled by The Times of Malta through a comprehensive digital archive of distress calls, indicate that migrant vessels are now ten times more likely to be intercepted by Libyan forces than rescued by their Maltese counterparts. The data covers activity within Malta's designated search and rescue zone and corresponds to the implementation of a bilateral migration coordination agreement between Valletta and Tripoli. The arrangement was designed to address what both governments describe as unsustainable pressure from irregular migration along the central Mediterranean corridor. Malta, which has long argued that its limited resources are stretched beyond capacity by migration flows, has faced scrutiny from humanitarian organisations over its decreased involvement in rescue operations. Critics have questioned whether the island nation is fulfilling its international obligations under maritime law, whilst Maltese officials counter that the coordination agreement represents a pragmatic response to regional challenges. The shift has implications beyond operational statistics. International bodies monitoring migrant treatment have documented concerning conditions within Libya's detention infrastructure, raising questions about the fate of those intercepted at sea and returned to Libyan facilities. Libya's increased maritime activity reflects broader changes since the 2011 revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Various local authorities and armed groups now control different areas of the coastline, with some receiving training and equipment through international partnerships aimed at stemming irregular migration. For Malta, the change represents relief from what officials describe as an unsustainable burden. The island state, with a population of just over half a million, has repeatedly called for greater burden-sharing within the European Union, arguing that frontline states cannot manage migration flows without substantial support from Brussels and member capitals. The coordination agreement forms part of a broader European strategy that has seen similar arrangements established with other North African states. These partnerships typically involve capacity-building programmes, equipment provision and coordination mechanisms designed to reduce the number of migrants reaching European shores. However, the effectiveness and humanitarian implications of such arrangements remain subjects of ongoing debate among policymakers, aid organisations and legal experts. The central Mediterranean route continues to account for a significant proportion of irregular arrivals to Europe, with thousands attempting the crossing annually despite well-documented risks. The latest figures suggest that whilst the immediate pressure on Malta may have eased, the fundamental dynamics driving migration from Africa towards Europe remain unchanged, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of coordination-based approaches to migration management.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cardinal says he's relieved not to have been elected Pope
A Catholic cardinal who was considered a leading candidate to be elected Pope has expressed relief that he was not chosen, saying anyone who actively wants the job is either 'a martyr or crazy'. Mario Grech, from Malta, was one of a dozen or so cardinals that Vatican experts saw as a 'papabile' – literally 'Pope-able' cardinal – following the death of Pope Francis. But he insisted he had no desire for the job and was deeply relieved to be able to leave Rome 'a free man' after the conclave, the secret election inside the Sistine Chapel that resulted in the nomination of Robert Prevost as Leo XIV, the first Pope from North America. 'Someone told me before the conclave: in order to want it [the papacy], you must either be a martyr – and I don't feel I'm one – or crazy,' Cardinal Grech said. He said he had urged his brother cardinals not to push him forward as a candidate, telling The Times of Malta: 'Several people would tell me they're praying for me, and I would say, 'Continue praying, but according to my intention, not yours'.' Asked whether he was relieved not to have been elected by the 133 cardinals, he said: 'Yes, definitely. On Thursday evening, I returned home a free man. 'I only realised after the conclave why the new Pope takes a new name – because his old life is not his any more. He is not his own man any more. He cannot even go out for a coffee or for a short walk. And those are just the little things.' Cardinal Grech, 68, comes from the island of Gozo to the north of the main island of Malta. He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020. He said it was wrong to think that every cardinal had a desire to become Pope, adding that the same reluctance to assume high office permeated throughout the Catholic hierarchy. Around a quarter of priests who are chosen by the Pope to become bishops are turning down the promotion, and Cardinal Grech said: 'They don't want it, because the burdens of authority in the Church are truly immense.' He said that as a member of the Synod of bishops, he saw the problem first hand, adding: 'When a bishopric becomes vacant anywhere around the world, we receive dossiers from the local nuncio detailing three nominees. We review these files, rank the candidates by preference, and submit them to the Pope for his final selection. 'Yet, it's increasingly common for the chosen candidate to decline – roughly 25 per cent refuse the appointment. One in every four priests chosen by the Pope to be bishops are refusing.' 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.
