Mellieha has been designated a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN).
EDEN is a European Commission project aimed at promoting sustainable tourism development models across the European Union.
The project is based on national competitions that take place every year and result in the selection of a tourist “destination of excellence” for each participating country.
Through the selection of destinations, EDEN achieves the objective of drawing attention to the values, diversity and common features of European tourist destinations.
It enhances the visibility of emerging European destinations, creates a platform for sharing good practices across Europe and promotes networking between awarded destinations.
This European quest for excellence in tourism is developed around an annual theme, chosen by the Commission together with the relevant national tourism bodies.
The key feature of the selected destinations is their commitment to social, cultural and environmental sustainability. The recipients of the award are emerging, little known European destinations located in the 27 member states and candidate countries.
The EDEN project helps to spread the sustainable practices used in the chosen destinations across the Union and to turn these places into all-year-round venues. The process thus aims to help de-congest over-visited tourist destinations.
The government said in a statement the Commission had initially chosen 20 destinations which it has now shortlisted to 16 towns.
These are Kuldiga in Latvia; Carlingford in Ireland; Durbuy in Belgium: Warta Mouth in Poland; Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic; Pielachtal in Austria; Soco Valley and Solkavsko in Slovenia; Horezu Valley in Romania; Belitsa in Bulgaria; Florina in Greech; Troodos and Agros in Cyrpus; Delta de l’Ebre in Spain; AMP Sinis in Sardenia and Mellieħa in Malta.
Parliamentary secretaries Mario de Marco and Chris Said this evening congratulated Mellieha mayor Robert Cutajar and all those working for Mellieha to continue finding its place on the tourism map.
Dr de Marco stressed that sustainability in tourism meant a balance between economic development and the social, cultural and environmental aims which had to be reached to ensure a future for the sector.
In Malta’s case the challenge was bigger because of the country’s size, which did not leave room for error.
Old buildings had to be utilised as much as possible for new projects, it had to be restored rather than neglected and made more accessible without being damaged.
Dr Said said the government was working on the principle that each locality had something to offer tourism and localities were being assisted to develop their potential.
This was being done through a number of schemes such as for restoration and the organisation of cultural activities.
Eden was in the past four years won by Nadur and Santa Luċija (Kerċem), Mellieħa and Senglea.
In the coming days, the government will be launching a fund for sustainable localities to assist councils draw up a long term plan for environmental, economic and social development of their communities.