Tourism in Malta
Tourism in Malta is an important sector of the country's economy, contributing to about 15 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).
Malta features a number of tourism attractions encompassing elements of the island's rich history and culture, as well as aquatic activities associated with the Mediterranean Sea.
In recent years, the country's tourism industry has been faced with a number of issues relating to the nation's small size, both in terms of area and population.
These issues include stretched resources and infrastructure (such as water, waste management, beaches, and roads), especially during the summer months of June, July, and August.
[1] The Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, and the Byzantines have all occupied Malta at some point in history, leaving a mix of many different architectural styles and artifacts to explore.
The country's modern museums and art galleries feature relics from Malta's history for tourists and Maltese residents alike to enjoy.
Held every year in late February or early March, the race attracts a number of international competitors and has been sponsored by Land Rover since 2009, BMW from 2003 to 2008, GoMobile in 2002 and Flora Malta in 2001 and prior.
Focus areas for medical tourism include "cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmic, neurological, urological, oncology, diagnostic, bariatric, and cardiac services.
This can be attributed to the fact that English is an official language in Malta, as well as the congenial climate, cultural and historical heritage, the safe environment[10] and high standard of living.
[12] In addition, there has been an increase in monitoring boards, teacher training courses, conferences and assessment procedures to ensure quality tuition is upheld.
A full list of nationalities required to hold visas to enter Malta and the Schengen Area is published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' web site.
[17] For the period January to December 2009, drops were recorded in visits from most countries sending large numbers of tourists to Malta, including Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Russia, the Scandinavian countries, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, whilst a 24.7 per cent increase was recorded in visits to and from Libya.
Popular attractions, such as Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Blue Lagoon, continue to be major draws for international visitors.
With a growing number of annual visitors, tourism remains a cornerstone of Malta’s economy, driving growth in related sectors and boosting overall economic resilience.
One of the clearest issues facing Malta's tourism industry is overcrowding as a result of the island nation's relatively small size, in terms of both area and population.
Malta's water works, roads, waste management systems and beaches are stretched to capacity in the summer months of July and August of every year, when tourism numbers are at their peak.
