‘Enough is enough’: ADPD says Malta has reached its tourism limit

ADPD-The Green Party has called for a carrying capacity study to determine the limits of Malta’s infrastructure as mounting tourism pressures place increasing strain on the island.

Now, at the height of summer, ADPD said the impact of tourism is clearer than ever, pointing to numerous cases in which the country’s infrastructure collapsed under increased demand, including power outages, sewage contamination and excessive traffic.

Malta can no longer speak of a peak tourism season, ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci said, noting that it now effectively stretches throughout the entire year. She said the constant presence of tourists has left residents exhausted by round-the-clock noise, poor waste management and widespread vandalism.

Gauci insisted that fines collected for such offences should be directed to local councils, allowing them to invest in improved services and measures that enhance residents’ quality of life.

This comes after the introduction of on-the-spot fines, which allows for people who do not hold residence in Malta, including tourists, to be required to pay on-the-spot fines if they break the law whilst in the country, with immediate electronic payment collected by officers.

Additionally, Gauci called on the government to fulfil its promise to allocate a portion of the tourism eco-tax to local councils. She also proposed increasing the tax and directing the proceeds entirely to local councils.

Gauci added that the high volume of tourists has also coincided with the proliferation of Airbnbs and hotels across the country. She pointed to Qormi as one example, saying that an area traditionally considered residential is now facing proposals for hotel development.

According to Gauci, the situation demonstrates how, along with a complete lack of planning, all control and direction regarding the country’s path has been lost.

ADPD called on the authorities to stop approving the development of more hotels, insisting that the island reached its limit a long time ago.

“It is clear that Malta has reached its limit, and the time has come to say: enough is enough!” Gauci said. “No one will starve, yet many will live better.”