Malta Welcomes EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, Calls For Island Considerations

Malta has welcomed the European Union’s new Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, while calling for greater consideration of the challenges faced by island Member States.

Speaking at an informal meeting of European Tourism Ministers in Mullingar, Ireland, Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela said tourism growth should focus on quality, sustainability and resilience.

He stressed that Malta’s tourism competitiveness should not be measured solely by visitor numbers, but also by the value generated for the economy, local communities and visitors.

“We need to move from a model based on volume to one that prioritises quality, while protecting the natural and cultural assets that make the Maltese Islands a unique destination,” Abela said.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of air connectivity to Malta’s economy, arguing that future EU initiatives should take into account the vulnerabilities associated with being an island state and ensure a level playing field.

On European funding, Abela called for National and Regional Partnership Plans to retain national flexibility, allowing Member States to choose investments according to their specific needs without additional administrative burdens or conditions.

He also reiterated Malta’s commitment to working with European institutions and other Member States to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of European tourism.

Concluding his remarks, Abela said Malta would remain actively involved in shaping the future of European tourism while defending the specific needs of island Member States.

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