I am a Canadian who visits Malta every year for a month in February. That should make me a desirable visitor to Malta in the off-peak season. At that time of year, the beaches are secondary but it is ideal for hiking in the countryside and exploring historical sites. Congestion is also at a minimum. The island is lovely at that time.

There are two aspects of cleanliness that must be dealt with however. The first has a simple solution, with the other being longer term, but also very doable.

I refer first to dog poop on the sidewalks. Few seem to talk about it but it is everywhere. Why? Deal with it now. It is worse than the garbage being left everywhere, which, at least, mostly gets collected daily.

The second is air quality. I live in a big city with a population 10 times larger but the air quality is far worse in Malta. If there is one thing that will stop me visiting forever it will be this. Once, after walking around Marsa for less than an hour, I was sick for three days coughing black stuff out of my lungs.

Now I avoid all congested, high traffic areas. The problem is made worse by having the island covered with parked cars.

Despite the economic implications, the car population must be reduced to less than half what it is now by scrapping all old vehicles (trucks, other commercial models, construction equipment all included) and ensuring that the rest run cleanly by tough emissions enforcement. Ideally electric vehicles only should be allowed.

Lazy, obese Maltese should get out of their cars and walk.

There is a very good and inexpensive bus network and it should be used better.