Dive tourism

Having read the two recent articles about diving and tourism I would like to give my penny's worth. I visit Malta for diving quite often and what was written is very true.

A vacation in Malta is quite expensive.

There are no spectacular coral reefs around the island, so wrecks are needed to keep the interest alive. I don't think that shark diving is encouraged, neither is boat diving practised a huge deal.

A lot of dive sites are being molested by fishermen both from boats or with a spear gun.

OK, let us look at these points closely. Starting with the cost of an air fare to Malta. From Canada a single economy class seat in the summer can cost just under $1,600. Air Malta also decided to give this market to a sole agent without any possible competition! Food, petrol and accommodation are on the high scale too when compared to comparable destinations. A week of diving with the cost of a four-star hotel (all inclusive food, drinks and a lot of activities) in the Caribbean is about $1,162 during the summer. It does not take much to discover that there is a problem with costs in Malta.

When it comes to teach diving in Malta there were times when the authorities made it harder than other destinations. Deep and mixed gas divers were looked at as if they were demons. But I believe this is coming round slowly.

Well, the sport is changing and the authorities must stay with the proper pace. Mexico, Florida and numerous other places host tours in submerged caves as well as deep diving using the latest technology.

In Egypt records are broken every year of the deepest descent. In New Jersey, US, scores of tech divers visit the Andreadoria down to 72 meters. What is holding Malta back? Why cannot this be a feature?

Unfortunately God did not place Malta among spectacular coral reefs like South Africa, south east Asia or the Caribbean but there is good weather. The public have to work harder to keep it beautiful and interesting. If this is going to be ignored it will come back and bite where it hurts most - the pocket. Having a beautiful place is not enough, it has to be maintained and rearranged every so often. People will get tired of the same thing.

More wrecks are needed, especially around Gozo. Why are there yachts in the fields near Kalafrana which have been there for decades? Cannot these be sunk for diving? Where are the old buses or scrap planes being disposed of?

Why isn't there more exposure to historical wrecks around Malta? Why is there a large number of wrecks which are still shrouded in secrecy? Disclose the information and attract more tourists! There is money to be made and people can enjoy themselves better!

Are fish farms affecting the industry? Is boat traffic a nuisance for divers and swimmers? What is the government's position on these issues?

The industry has to be more open minded. I noticed that the majority of Maltese do not like changes or drastic actions, but I think this discussion is a trigger for a better plan and the way ahead. Shark diving and encounters with marine life are like blasphemy in Malta. I honestly cannot see one valid reason behind this. This is very popular in the Caribbean and the Red Sea but not in Malta.

At these destinations there are many swimmers using the beaches too, so what is the excuse? Boat diving is also another feature that is not marketed very well in Malta. The kind of marketing I'm taking about should be directed at all divers, not just the visitors.

Are the visitors landing from cruises offered any dive packages? In the Cayman and Bermuda a dive boat will pick up the divers right from the port where the cruise liners are berthed.

Are there such things in Malta, or is the tourist going to find himself involved in a dispute between cab and coach drivers?

The abuse by fishermen is intolerable. I am not saying that spear guns and fishing should be banned, but a sensible plan has to be worked out between all the parties. Zones have to be designated and posted for every one to share. I have seen lines and nets around popular dive sites and they are very dangerous and unattractive.

Take pictures of a grouper and as soon as you turn your back someone will come down and nail it with a spear gun. It is not what a tourist wants to see. This will repel the people who are pumping money into the country and it is a big risk for any diver.

I do not agree with the parties who wrote the recent articles on one aspect. Everyone seems to be going his own way.

A situation like this calls for unity and dialogue with the authorities to draw up plans and proceed with a successful resolution.

Perhaps 50c from every (tank) fill should be set aside for future projects. Local and foreign clubs which visit should be involved too. The government has the obligation to keep the waters safe and clean and to educate the public. Assisting this profitable industry, and supporting future plans will only generate money down the line.

Oh, by the way - Malta is considered as a very nice dive destination when discussed by divers all over the world. This is placing Malta high on the popularity list in the Med. This is a fact. Please keep it up.