Car-sharing on the Maltese islands : a study of the potential of car-sharing for tourists and locals in Malta

Abstract

Transport is a necessity to reach destinations and explore locations. This also applies for the Maltese Islands, for tourists and locals alike. The mode of transport that is chosen, forms an important part of the overall tourist experience (Page, 2009). Currently, Malta is facing daily traffic and parking issues, which constrains the land transport system. Car-sharing is a relative recent mode of transport that allows participants to benefit from a vehicle without actually owning one. It is considered as a sustainable mode of transport, which additionally helps to relief scarce parking issues (Loose, 2012). The aim of the research is to identify whether Malta has the potential to introduce carsharing for tourists and locals. The primary objectives are to evaluate the feasibility and demand for car sharing in Malta, and the scale such an operation requires. The study also aims to identify challenges, and opportunities for implementing car-sharing in Malta from the point of view of different stakeholders, such as potential customer, car-sharing operators, and the government. The study is based on a thorough review of existing literature. A mixed methodology was used, formed by qualitative in-depth interviews, and a quantitative questionnaire. To identify potential demand patterns the questionnaire was distributed amongst three sample groups, these being: tourists, Valletta residents, and Sliema residents. The findings generated a contradiction of ideas. Whilst public, and especially private stakeholders do not see Malta as a potential car-sharing market in the near future. The majority of potential customers think that such a service would be beneficial for locals and tourists alike. Therefore, they would embrace car-sharing services into their choice of transport.