Momentum proposes halving Comino visitor cap to protect the ecosystem and allow residents to also enjoy its beauty
Reports from people visiting Comino showing a packed Blue Lagoon have sparked justifiable outrage across the country. It is clear to environmentalists, citizens and even tourists that 4,000 visitors per time slot has resulted in way too many people for Comino’s tiny and fragile ecosystem.
To combat this severe overtourism, Momentum is proposing an improved tourism management strategy. The immediate next step must be to start by halving the cap to 2,000 people at any one time, with 1,000 of those spots reserved exclusively for residents of Malta and Gozo. If that does not work either, then the number needs to be even lower.
“If a carrying capacity study was carried out to devise the 4,000 cap, it is clearly flawed. We cannot allow our natural heritage to be degraded to the point where locals do not even dream of visiting Comino,” said Mark Camilleri Gambin, Momentum’s General Secretary. “The next step is to halve this cap to ensure we protect our environment while guaranteeing that the people of Malta and Gozo are not pushed aside by mass tourism.”
This proposal is a practical approach to managing overtourism. Destinations suffering from severe overcrowding have successfully implemented strict caps alongside local priority exemptions. Similar measures have already been implemented elsewhere in places like Venice, Sardinia and Barcelona to deter massive crowds and ensure that locals maintain priority access to their own heritage without competing with foreign tourists.
Camilleri Gambin continued, “Implementing this proposal on Comino is technically straightforward. Locals would simply login with their EID into the Blue Lagoon access management system to unlock a resident-only pool of free QR codes. It is a proven way to balance a thriving tourism sector with the rights of the local community.”
It is possible to manage visitor numbers effectively without taking it away from current and future generations.
Momentum remains committed to pushing for transparent policies that deliver a more beautiful island and just systems for everyone.
There is hope, you can help!
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