European island has so many tourists locals forced to shop for food 1 month in advance | World | News
Malta suffers from severe overtourism during the summer (Image: Getty)
Mass tourism has had significant impacts across various countries in Europe. However, there is one destination where the issues have become so severe that locals struggle to use public transport. They even shop for food up to one month in advance for a shocking reason.
The beautiful Mediterranean archipelago of Malta hit records last year, welcoming 3.56 million tourists. While tourism plays a crucial part in the Maltese economy, the crowds of sun-seeking travellers bring many issues to the island, making some locals feel like foreigners in their own home.
UK holidaymakers are drawn to Malta, because it has “a unique combination of sun-soaked beaches and a vibrant cultural city break”, Nicholas Smith, dgital director at Thomas Cook and eSky online travel agency, told The Express. He added: “The island’s appeal has also expanded significantly across CEE (Central and Eastern Europe), especially among Polish tourists, contributing to the current surge in visitor numbers.”
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Locals are pushed out of places such as Golden Bay because of the crowds of visitors (Image: Getty)
Beaches like Golden Bay and Paradise Bay are just a few of the communal spaces that are taken over by holidaymakers. However, residents’ being restricted in visiting their coastline is just the beginning of their problem.
Isheeta Borker, co-founder of the blog Travelicious Couple, spent part of a summer in Malta, and while she described how gorgeous the country is to live and work in, she also saw just how much the peak holiday season takes a toll on the locals.
She told The Express: “We saw firsthand how summer tourism is starting to wear thin on the locals. By July, certain parts of Malta (especially Sliema and St. Julian’s) felt like mini resorts. Buses were packed to the point where locals often couldn’t get one.
“One person we spoke to said she avoids public transport entirely in the summer now. Prices creep up too, making people buy groceries a month ahead of tourist season. It’s crazy.”
Christos Spatharakis, Ferryhopper CEO and Co-Founder, told The Express: “Malta has some infrastructure issues at peak summer season. The island’s small size, however, makes popular spots such as Valletta, Mdina, and the popular Blue Lagoon in Comino very crowded.
“Transport becomes a big problem – the narrow road network becomes jammed and parking spots, which are already limited throughout the year, become virtually non-existent. The ferry links to Gozo and Comino experience huge demand, with long queues.
“The healthcare system is put under strain, and emergency services can also get stretched thin over the high summer period.”
According to Christos, Maltese residents have an ambivalent feeling towards the high levels of tourists that visit the country. “On the one hand, they enjoy the economic advantages, but on the other hand, they change their habits to stay away from tourist crowds during the peak season,” he says.
Malta welcomed a record breaking 3.56 million tourists last year (Image: Getty)
Andrew Cachia, a Maltese local and founder of blog Get Lost On a Budget, says he often has to wait longer times for buses as the ones passing his local village are filled up with passengers from “peak tourist hotspots” such as St. Paul’s Bay and Cirkewwa.
The travel blogger also discussed how revelling tourists have turned a partying spot once loved by the local community into “a distant memory.”
He told The Express: “Paceville has been completely taken over by tourists and other young students making it virtually impossible for you to go enjoy your time there. So the locals are seeking other places to go partying.
“This year is especially bad, there are a lot of locals complaining in Facebook groups and such about this situation.”
The 24-year-old, says he does want tourists to continue visiting the island, but urges them to “be responsible”. He added: “I don’t like this trend that suddenly Malta became a party island, that people can come here, get wasted and put up videos of it on TikTok. If you are here for this reason then yes, please visit other places there are plenty of party locations.
“If you want to visit Malta for its beautiful beaches and its rich history, visiting Valletta, Mdina, day tripping to Gozo, eating our pastizzi and rabbit, then by all means please come and visit Malta.”
Blue Lagoon is often crowded during the summer time (Image: Getty)
Christos suggested that “although tourism is crucial for Malta’s economy, the summer congestion can make locals feel like foreigners in their own place.”
Despite Malta being a year-round destination and its tourism board “being one of the most proactive in the region,” the country is struggling to see tourist traffic spread out throughout the entire year, making summer visitations difficult to manage.
Nicholas added: “Further steps are needed to address overtourism. These might include tighter limits on short-term rentals in densely populated areas, enhanced support for sustainable tourism initiatives, and improved visitor education on cultural and environmental responsibility.
“Travellers seeking a similar experience might also consider lesser-known Mediterranean destinations that offer comparable beauty and heritage with less pressure on local ecosystems. While this could relieve some of the burden on Malta, it also underscores the importance of smart tourism policies that preserve the island’s appeal without compromising the wellbeing of its residents.
“Striking this balance is key. Malta must continue to welcome tourism as a vital part of its economy, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of its communities and environment.”
