The development of fort St. Elmo and fort St. Angelo for heritage and cultural tourism

Abstract

The research focuses on the development of two of the most important fortifications in Malta, which are currently undergoing major restoration. These are Fort St. Elmo, located in Valletta and Fort St. Angelo, located in Vittoriosa. This research seeks responses from various local stakeholders about the development of Fort St. Elmo and Fort St. Angelo as heritage and cultural attractions. Their potential contribution as heritage and cultural tourism products is examined, as well as how these forts will be developed, and how the local communities of Valletta and Vittoriosa may benefit from their rehabilitation. Different theories of heritage and cultural tourism are discussed as well as relevant national policies. In order to gather feedback, in-depth interviews and personal observation of the restoration projects were an integral part of the methodology of this study. The general findings were largely positive. Both sites have a strong potential for heritage and cultural tourism as well as for domestic tourism, as each fort will have its individual function and attractiveness. Fort St. Elmo can help towards the regeneration of the local community of the lower Valletta area whilst Fort St. Angelo has the potential to further the Vittoriosa tourist activity and perhaps also help to prop activity in the rest of the Cottonera area. Promotion is a tool which presently is barely being made use of. Thus, more promotional work will be needed in the near future so as to create awareness of these forts as heritage attractions. The findings have established that the development of these forts was definitely needed, and in the future more works of this nature should be done.