Malta’s climbing tourism niche is expected to reach new heights following a visit by two of the world’s topmost climbers, who have just spent a fortnight pushing their limits to set up daring routes.

The fact that they chose Malta carries immense national significance

The island’s potential is appearing on the radar of the most cutting-edge climbers, with Sonnie Trotter and Tommy Caldwell choosing Comino and Gozo to explore fresh climbs.

They were accompanied by one of the world’s leading adventure photographers, Corey Rich, who has captured dramatic shots of Maltese cliffs and hanging climbers to be used to further promote the island as a climbing destination.

For the president of the Malta Rock Climbing Club Andrew Warrington, the fact that these “climbing celebrities” chose Malta on their own initiative, because they recognised its potential, is a “watershed”.

A new line at Halq Hamiem on Gozo’s northern cliffs.

“They transcend their nationalities, travelling to countries as far afield as China and Kazakhstan to discover new walls and set up radical routes. So the fact that they chose Malta carries immense national significance from the climbing perspective. If they think it is worth spending time here, then the world’s climbing community is likely to follow suit,” Mr Warrington said. “You cannot get much better than this!”

The potential of climbing as a niche tourist attraction was first broached in 2005 by Mr Warrington. A Malta Tourism Association-MRCC project to place bolts on climbing routes has since established a number of sport climbs and witnessed the “exponential” increase in tourist arrivals.

Between 2005 and 2011, the arrivals grew 50 fold, with an average of 25 climbers every week in 2011. Compared to the initial 25 in a whole year, it has been a “phenomenal success”, Mr Warrington maintained.

“This week alone, I have been in contact with 50 climbers, visiting the island specifically for the sport.

“It is an example of how you can create a niche if you want to; if you manage it well and consistently, results will be achieved.”

The story of the celebrity climbers’ visit dates back to 2005, when Sonnie and his friends stumbled upon one solitary image of the Blue Grotto, and on the strength of that photo alone, without doing any research, booked a climbing trip to Malta.

Back then, they were doing what is known as deep-water soloing, whereby no ropes are used and it is the sea – 30 metres beneath in the case of Blue Grotto – that catches the fall.

They knew they would return and when Mr Warrington saw their plans to visit Malta again on their blog, he immediately contacted them to offer the support of the club and the MTA.

“A visit from these climbers puts Malta on the map. It is equivalent to Tom Cruise buying a property here, showing the island is a good place to be,” he said.

During their stay, the climbers discovered six new routes, despite adverse weather conditions, including fierce winds, rain and even hail.

Four routes have been completed, two are still projects in the pipeline and one of these is expected to be among the hardest roof climbs in the world – Ħalq Ħamiem in Gozo.

A roof climb entails hanging off the ceiling of a cave, while jamming fists and fingertips into its cracks.

You cannot get much better than this

The renowned climbers were sponsored by top manufacturers of climbing and outdoor equipment, meaning Malta will be featuring in their catalogues, Mr Warrington said, listing top international publications that are showcasing the island’s potential.

Mr Warrington, who has been climbing for three decades and is also the author of Malta Rock Climbing – The Comprehensive Guide, a new edition of which is soon out, is envisaging “mad growth” in popularity. This is also thanks to the fact that, this year alone, the MTA-MRCC bolting project has helped install an unprecedented 60 sport climbs.

This year also started with a visit by leading UK climber Stevie Haston.

Mr Haston, the MRCC team and the Gozo Climbing Association have developed what was recently a drainage outflow in Gozo’s Wied il-Meilaħ into a new climbing venue.