The numbers of foreign students thronging the streets of Malta could not be more conspicuous during the month of August. The low-cost airline strategy is clearly paying dividends as official figures show tourism records constantly being broken. Restaurants are busy, souvenir shops are thriving, public buses are packed, and the picture looks rosy. But is it?
Unless we strike oil, there is no doubt that tourism will remain by far the biggest and most important contributor to the economy. But the country also needs to analyse the impact of such numbers on its infrastructure, and whether our environment can sustain it and complement it.
Malta is the most densely populated country in Europe. This is exacerbated by the presence of thousands of tourists, particularly during peak seasons. The island is also one of the most built up.
Times of Malta reported last Friday about the many young Italians are visiting Malta. The reasons they gave had little to do with the culture and history our tourism authorities try so hard to promote. And as our front page story shows today, a number of them are even putting their health at risk by jumping into the sea from unsafe heights.
A Malta Tourism Authority spokesman disagreed that Malta is turning into a kind of mini-Ibiza for younger foreigners, despite the odd event like the Isle of MTV specifically targeted at youngsters.
As much as we rightly promote our rich history, we have to admit that many tourists are still lured by the tried and tested sun and sea template. That means lots of young foreigners travelling with a tight budget who will seek nightlife and adventure more than anything.
And with that come the usual ills associated with hundreds of youths partying in the same place: noise, litter, vandalism. Such problems are impacting the quality of life of residents as well as high-end tourists who are seeking something else beyond the sun and sea.
It is difficult to strike a balance between numbers and quality. In an ideal world, we should have a blend of the two.
As hard as we try to spread tourism to the winter months, the majority will continue arriving in summer. This is why special attention has to be given to our environment during this period.
During the launch of a five-year policy document last year, former Tourism Minister Mario de Marco underlined the importance of making sure the environment is not compromised.
The question is, what is the best way to cater for the additional tourist numbers? Unbridled construction, which we have seen so much of, is clearly not the answer.
It is encouraging to see more cafes and wine bars spreading their night-time business outdoors, but this must be done in an organised and regulated manner.
How many times do the media need to point out that certain establishments are constantly encroaching on pavements?
What effort is being made to inject more nightlife into Valletta, which, although recently showing more signs of life, is far too quiet for a capital city?
What effort is the industry itself making to ensure a certain standard in restaurants, since a number in prominent places are allowed to get away with providing a below par product?
Will the Government have the courage to acknowledge the perennial problems of traffic and parking and do something about them, not just in the capital, but elsewhere?
Malta needs repeat tourists. The trick is not just getting tourists here, but making sure they come back. Are we really doing enough to give them sufficient reason to do that?