The traditional dgħajsa tal-pass features prominently in a master plan drafted to draw local and tourists towards the three maritime cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea.
Cottonera’s local councils have often complained that tourists merely breeze through the Three Cities without leaving any economic benefits behind.
The Temi Zammit Foundation, in collaboration with the Vittoriosa local council, has unveiled the Seatoland Master Plan, which aims to reduce the stark disparity between the number of tourists and cruise liner passengers visiting Valletta and the Three Cities.
The project, which falls under the European Union’s MED programme, proposes a number of strategies to improve accessibility between the coastal areas and the hinterland.
Temi Zammit Foundation CEO Jesmond Xuereb said the southern harbour area had been underdeveloped for a number of years in comparison to other areas throughout the islands. It also suffered from an ageing population and progressive depopulation.
The dgħajsa tal-pass has been flagged as a core feature to improve accessibility and the sustainable conservation of maritime heritage within the Grand Harbour region.
The project proposes setting up an organised, efficient water bus service to improve transportation for residents and make the area more attractive to visitors.
Senglea waterfront was singled out for a sea terminal, which would essentially consist of a floating pontoon with a glass ceiling.
A former dockyard store would house a restoration and maintenance workshop for the tal-pass boats and a similar building in St Michael’s Ditch would be converted into an interactive centre.
The proposal includes rehabilitating access points and landing places for water buses, especially at It-Toqba area in Vittoriosa and at other sites in Senglea and Valletta. This would help draw visitors directly to the heart of the cities.
The master plan suggested setting up a boat trail of Grand Harbour in traditional-looking electric motor boats. With the aid of sound or visuals using waterproof monitors or virtual reality goggles, the trip could re-enact monumental events such as the Great Siege and World War II.
The route would take passengers along the main creek, Dockyard Creek and the French Creek and include forts St Angelo, St Michael and St Elmo, the Vittoriosa bastions, the Old Customs House, Fort Ricasoli and Bighi.
The master plan also suggests creating an Albergo Diffuso, an innovative Italian concept where a ‘hotel’ is converted out of various historic buildings in a small community, directly integrating guests into local life.
The research project is still in its consultancy stage, with a number of applications awaiting permits from the planning authority.